MSPs in Elsie Inglis Nursing Home death plea

Some residents have been moved out of Elsie Inglis Nursing Home

The government is being urged to make an emergency statement following the death of a woman who had been living at an Edinburgh nursing home.

The 59-year-old woman became unwell at Elsie Inglis Nursing Home in Abbeyhill last week and was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

She died two days later, prompting a police investigation.

Scottish Labour is demanding Holyrood gives a statement to clarify what action has been taken since the death.

Edinburgh City Council said earlier this week that some other residents had been moved to other nursing homes.

Labour's health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie has lodged a series of parliamentary questions on the situation at the nursing home, amid reported concerns over standards of care.

She said: "People expect their relatives to get the best possible standards of care when being looked after, but it would appear something has gone far wrong at this nursing home.

A 59-year-old woman died at Elsie Inglis Nursing Home last week

"We must get to the bottom of exactly what has happened at the Elsie Inglis Nursing Home.

"We must ensure that swift action is taken and that this is dealt with at the highest levels.

"That's why Labour is calling for an urgent ministerial statement on the issue."

She added: "The Scottish government needs to make clear what immediate actions it has taken to ensure the safety of the residents as well as ensuring wider lessons are learnt."

Ms Baillie will ask the Scottish government when the home was last inspected by Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) or its predecessor, the Care Commission, and what the result was.

She also wants answers about how many complaints were received about the Elsie Inglis Nursing Home in the last four years, and whether any complaints have been raised about other care homes owned by the same directors.

Quality of care

Sarah Boyack, Labour MSP for the Lothians, said: "Local residents deserve peace of mind that when their loved ones are resident in any nursing home, they can trust they will get the high quality care they deserve.

"We need a full investigation into exactly what has gone on at the Elsie Inglis Nursing Home to ensure lessons are learnt for the future."

Earlier this week, an Edinburgh City Council spokesman said: "Following concerns surrounding the quality of care at the nursing home extra staff from the council and NHS Lothian have been put in place.

"In addition a number of residents have been placed in other care establishments.

"The current situation is being regularly reviewed."

A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police are working together with partner agencies to establish the circumstances around how the woman became unwell at the private nursing home she was residing in."