Jackie Baillie’s ‘deathtrap for the frail’ claim is almost certainly a stinking great lie

Professor John Robertson OBA

There are several versions of the above across the media. None give the figures for each of the five years in question, from 2019 to 2024. They only offer the increasing figures for the very small Orkney, Borders and Dumfries & Galloway health boards and the 1 600 or so in ‘early 2025‘, adding to the total.

So, you have to wonder why they are all concealing the annual figures and only telling you about three small areas where they have evidence of an increase. The overall Scottish trend is down, I’d put money on it.

Then the increase in 2025, from 266 573 to 282 386, of only around 1 600 in the ‘early months‘ of 2025. Even if that’s just the first three months, we’re looking at an annual figure of only around 6-7 000, way below the previous annual average of more than 50 000.

The FoI report will be published soon but by then Labour will feel they have done the damage and ignore any criticism.

6 thoughts on “Jackie Baillie’s ‘deathtrap for the frail’ claim is almost certainly a stinking great lie”

  3. John, John: what do you mean: “almost certainly a lie” when quoting Jackie Baillie? If that wummin’s lips are moving, she is telling a lie – it’s what she does.

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  6. I’m afraid that, much as I hate to agree with that woman, I cannot argue with her on this.

    My mum suffered from pretty severe dementia throughout her final years. In the past year she had four visits to hospital following falls becoming more frail and unstable with each. I have to say that the standard of care received in the geratric wards of the QEUH was far below that of the other wards. Regular failings in care, lack of response to distressed and confused patients, and extremely poor communication with families and misinformation about patient rights. On every stay. In every ward mum ended up in in the unit and witnessed not only withour mum but with other patients in the wards.

    In the end following someone again deciding to unilaterally alter her care plan and supervision level- something which happened several times and which drove her physiotherapists to distraction – mum suffered a fall in the ward which shattered her hip. She required an operation from which she never fully recovered. This following the time (over five hours) to get her sufficent pain killers and to get her off the floor in the ward. Mum died much sooner than she should have and it was considered a reportable death with police and PF involved.

    The unit has a terrible reputation amongst patients and staff in other parts of the hospital.

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