Families claim their loved ones were doped so often they were unable to eat or walk and suffered serious falls.
Lawyers have launched a legal battle against hospital bosses after families claimed dementia patients were left like doped-up “zombies” on a ward.
The family of former boxer George Maguire is suing NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde after he was given unprescribed painkillers – which are only for meant use in cases of extreme pain or end of life care.
The Daily Record has now spoken to several families who claim their loved-ones were heavily sedated at the Jura Ward in Glasgow’s Stobhill Hospital.
The Maguire family, from Bishopbriggs, have given statements to police, laying down their belief that George, 91, was unduly sedated for weeks earlier than one weekend that the hospital has stipulated in February this year.
And now they intend to sue hospital chiefs.
Their lawyer has told the Daily Record he believes the illegally administered drugs, believed to be morphine, may have been given to many more patients at the ward.
Jonathan Howat said the families involved in the scandal deserve answers on how strict legal protocols in the administration of the drugs appear to have been repeatedly broken by multiple medical staff.
Howat, head of Thompsons Solicitors Scotland’s medical negligence unit, said: “Reporting from the Daily Record about the care of elderly dementia patients in Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow is deeply disturbing. For families who entrust their frail and very vulnerable family members to care at Stobhill this is the stuff of nightmares.
“It seems clear from reports that elderly dementia patients have been plied with extremely powerful opiates. It appears these drugs were unprescribed and their use was unauthorised.
“This is illegal and it is right there is now a police investigation into what exactly has been going on.”
Howat added: “The health board have assured the families affected, including our clients, that the illegal drugging of their relatives was simply a one off.
“I believe that the family’s are right to suspect that the illegal drugging may well have been more widespread and have gone on for longer. We believe the families are right to be sceptical of any internal investigation which is now ongoing.
“Our legal action against the health board will help provide the families with a greater degree of clarity. They are right to demand answers and we will do all we can to make sure they get them.“
The Daily Record first told of the scandal at the Jura Ward – a 20 bed dementia ward – in February, when NHSGGC admitted that several patients had been given unprescribed opiates.
The Maguire family noted that George was left “like a zombie”, barely able to open his eyes and unable to eat.
Several other families have approached the Record to say their own loved ones experienced the same pattern of care – being given so many sedating drugs that they could not talk or eat, which led them to waste away before their eyes.
Families have also reported that the sudden sharp decline in their loved ones’ condition led to repeated falls and head injuries.
Several families have reported that their loved ones were dressed in random clothing which did not belong to them – with an alleged acceptance in the ward that they would wear anything that fits.
Families affected by the conduct of staff were summoned to the unit to receive apologies and were told that a Serious Adverse Event Review had been launched.
George Maguires’ situation only came to light after he suffered falls and was transferred to Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary – where analysis of his blood revealed the shocking presence of the opiates.
His family claim a doctor said he could have died within days if the inappropriate medication had continued.
Three months on, George is now living in a care home, where his condition improved dramatically.
His daughter Maureen Cahill, a former psychiatric nurse, claimed that after being moved from the Jura ward George showed clear signs of “cold turkey” – a slang term for severe opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Maureen said that when they asked nurses why he was so exhausted all the time she was told – like other families – it was just a symptom of the dementia.
Earlier this week The wife of a former Scottish champion cyclist claimed his last months were destroyed by constant “doping” in the Jura ward. Ernie Scally suffered from Alzheimer’s but wife Helen believes he was still able to enjoy life until he was admitted to the Jura Ward, at Glasgow’s Stobhill Hospital in July 2024.
After he entered the ward, his family claim he showed clear signs of having been given heavy sedation.
A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said a Serious Adverse Event Review (SAER) remains underway following an incident involving a small number of patients within Jura Ward at Stobhill Hospit.
They added.: “We would be happy to meet with any other families who may have concerns.”
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