Cole-Hamilton calls for parliamentary statement following cruelty allegations at psychiatric hospital 

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has called for the Scottish Government to deliver a statement to parliament after a BBC investigation uncovered allegations of a culture of cruelty at Scotland’s largest psychiatric hospital for children.

Former patients at Skye House, run by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, have told BBC Disclosure that the hospital was like ‘hell’. They told the programme that there was an over-use of medication and that nursing staff quickly resorted to force, with some calling them ‘pathetic’, ‘disgusting’ and mocking their suicide attempts.

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland has visited Skye House six times since 2017. The main issues reported in the BBC’s investigation, however, do not feature in any of the Commission’s published reports.

Mr Cole-Hamilton is now calling on the Scottish Government to make a statement to parliament explaining why these issues were missed until now.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“These allegations are truly horrific.

“I am particularly concerned that despite the Mental Health Commission attending the hospital on many occasions, their subsequent reports did not address the issues raised by these young people.

“Ministers must urgently clarify why this was not the case. They must also make sure that no current patient is at risk of cruelty or abuse, and that every patient is receiving only the highest quality of care."