Woman dies with hospital fungal infection
14 March 2019, 17:43
A woman who was left critically ill after contracting a fungal infection in hospital has died, her family have said.
Mito Kaur, 63, was admitted to Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) on January 7 and became seriously ill shortly afterwards.
She died at around 2am on Thursday, her family confirmed.
A statement issued on their behalf by solicitor Aamer Anwar said they are "devastated" and that "many questions remain unanswered".
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman confirmed at the end of January that one patient at the hospital was seriously ill with the Mucor infection.
Mr Anwar said: "At 2am this morning, Mito Kaur passed away, one day before her 64th birthday after having been admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow on January 7, 2019.
"Mito's family are devastated at her loss, who throughout her children's lives had been selfless and unconditional in her love.
"Following admission, Mito fell seriously ill and then the family became aware of the fungal infection at the 'scandal hit' hospital.
"For the last two months the family have had serious concerns about what had happened to their mother, with many questions that remain unanswered."
It comes after a 10-year-old boy being treated at the £842 million hospital, which opened in 2015, died there as a result of contracting the unrelated Crypococcus bug which is linked to pigeon droppings.
The Crown Office has previously said it is also looking into the death of a 73-year-old woman, again from Crypococcus, at the QEUH in January.
Mr Anwar added: "As of this afternoon I contacted the procurator fiscal's office advising of the family's concerns and their desire for a fully independent investigation to take place.
"I understand that the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal have instructed the police to obtain a full report, following which an independent post-mortem will be carried out.
"In recent days an unannounced inspectorate report into the management of infection and control following two previous deaths was published, this was a devastating indictment of the culture that existed at the QEUH.
"The family are deeply grateful to the many staff who tried so hard to save their mother's life, but they remain highly concerned at the role of senior management and demand a full robust and independent inquiry take place."
