THE widow of a top Scottish government official has claimed the full details of his death were covered up to protect the reputation of a troubled Glasgow hospital.

Andrew Slorance was treated for cancer at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and his wife Louise now believes he caught Covid there as well as another life-threatening infection.

Mr Slorance was head of the Scottish government's response and communication unit, which was responsible for its handling of the Covid pandemic.

When he died First Minister Nicola Sturgeon led tributes, describing the father-of-five from Edinburgh as a "wonderful person" who made a difference in all he did.

The 49-year-old went into hospital at the end of October 2020 for a stem cell transplant and chemotherapy as part of treatment for Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL).

He died nearly six weeks into his stay, with the cause of his death listed as Covid pneumonia.

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After requesting a copy of his medical notes, Mrs Slorance discovered her husband had also been treated for an infection caused by a fungus called aspergillus, which she said had not been discussed with either of them during his hospital stay.

The infection is common in the environment but can be extremely dangerous for people with weak immune systems.

Glasgow Times:

Mrs Slorance believes that officials wanted to protect the hospital, which is already the subject of a public inquiry, and its reputation, "no matter what the cost".

She told the BBC: "I think somebody and probably a number of people have made an active decision not to inform his family of that infection, either during his admission or post-death."

"The impact of the health board hiding the fungal infection will have lifelong impacts on all members of our family, including five children.

"The reason? To protect a building, a health board and political decision-making."

Mrs Slorance has called for a full investigation into incidences of aspergillus at the hospital campus.

She said: "I'll never know if it was the aspergillus or the Covid, so I can't grieve a death I don't understand fully."

In response NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "We are sorry that the family are unhappy with aspects of Mr Slorance's treatment, details of which were discussed with the family at the time.

"While we cannot comment on individual patients, we do not recognise the claims being made.

"We are confident that the appropriate care was provided. There has been a clinical review of this case and we would like to reassure the family that we have been open and honest and there has been no attempt to conceal any information from them."

The health board offered to meet Mr Slorance's family to discuss the care provided and the issues they have raised.