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Heart unit closure shocked family Heart unit closure shocked family
(about 2 hours later)
The wife of a man who died after a heart transplant has spoken of her shock when she heard on the news that operations had been suspended.The wife of a man who died after a heart transplant has spoken of her shock when she heard on the news that operations had been suspended.
Anne Scrogie's husband Jamie died in May, three weeks after a transplant. Anne Scroggie's husband Jamie died in May, three weeks after a transplant.
His was one of four patient deaths which prompted a review and the suspension of operations at the unit in Glasgow for more than three weeks.His was one of four patient deaths which prompted a review and the suspension of operations at the unit in Glasgow for more than three weeks.
Mrs Scrogie, from Larkhall, criticised the health board for not informing her and described the news as upsetting. Mrs Scroggie, from Larkhall, criticised the health board for not informing her and described the news as upsetting.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said four of the 11 patients who had transplants in 2007 died within 30 days.NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said four of the 11 patients who had transplants in 2007 died within 30 days.
'Great shock' Mrs Scroggie, who is registered blind, said: "I didn't know anything about the heart unit being closed until I heard it on the news.
Mrs Scrogie, who is registered blind, said: "I didn't know anything about the heart unit being closed until I heard it on the news.
"It was a great shock, it was quite upsetting for the whole family."It was a great shock, it was quite upsetting for the whole family.
"We had no communication that the unit was being closed down or an investigation was going to take place at all."We had no communication that the unit was being closed down or an investigation was going to take place at all.
"It would've been very nice to have been contacted and been given a little amount of reassurance.""It would've been very nice to have been contacted and been given a little amount of reassurance."
Worked hardWorked hard
The UK average death rate of transplant patients within 30 days is about 13%, but the Scottish figure stands at 36%.The UK average death rate of transplant patients within 30 days is about 13%, but the Scottish figure stands at 36%.
Mrs Scrogie said staff at the unit did a sterling job and had worked "desperately hard" to save her husband's life. Mrs Scroggie said staff at the unit did a sterling job and had worked "desperately hard" to save her husband's life.
We fully accept that the families might have wished us to contact them in advance of the review Professor Henry DargieDirector of the Scottish National Heart Failure Service
She added: "I think it's very sad there's been this blip.She added: "I think it's very sad there's been this blip.
"You felt so close to the unit and you expected if there was something to be communicated they would have taken the trouble to communicate with you."You felt so close to the unit and you expected if there was something to be communicated they would have taken the trouble to communicate with you.
"I'm sure the other families feel exactly the way I feel.""I'm sure the other families feel exactly the way I feel."
Operations at the unit resumed on Wednesday 16 January.Operations at the unit resumed on Wednesday 16 January.
Professor Henry Dargie, director of the Scottish National Heart Failure Service, said he contacted all the families concerned on Friday.
She said: "We are extremely sorry if Mrs Scroggie feels let down by a lack of communication.
"We did not want to intrude at a time of grief, particularly in the run up to Christmas, although we were prepared and ready to discuss the review with any of the families had they contacted us with concerns.
"It was our intention to contact them as soon as we had the reviewers' final report so that we could explain in detail the reasons for the review.
"That still is our intention. In hindsight, however, we fully accept that the families might have wished us to contact them in advance of the review being carried out. "