The death of a man at Scotland’s biggest hospital is being investigated after he was reportedly given a lethal amount of another patient’s medicine.
Since May, Martin Weldon, 36, has been in critical care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow due to a serious brain damage caused by diabetic hypoglycemia, which occurs when the blood sugar level goes too low.
His family was informed twice that his machines would be turned off, but ‘both times Martin defied the odds and proved the doctors wrong,’ according to his sister Keeleigh.
Mr Weldon, from Dumbarton, was’making progress’ after four months of treatment, but he still had to relearn how to walk and communicate.
But he died on Saturday, only two days after his 36th birthday, after apparently being given the wrong medication.
In a statement posted online on Saturday, Mr Weldon’s father Martin said: ‘Today we lost my son Martin. After making progress in hospital he passed away due to staff negligence.
‘I would like to take the time to thank his real friends and family who have been there for Martin in the past few months.
‘Funeral arrangements will follow, thanks. Myself and family would appreciate time to grieve for now.’
Mr Weldon’s sister Keeleigh, who walked 100km in July to raise awareness around brain injuries and diabetes, added: ‘We are grieving and supporting the police investigation. We will comment further when the investigation is over.’
A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: ‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mr Weldon’s family and loved ones as they mourn his loss.
‘After immediately notifying the procurator fiscal, the circumstances around Mr Weldon’s death are now subject to an ongoing police investigation.
‘As such, it would be inappropriate to comment further. We continue to work with relevant authorities and remain committed to engaging with the family as investigations progress.’
Police confirmed they are now investigating the death.
A spokesman said: ‘On Saturday, August 13, police were made aware of the unexpected death of a man at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
‘The death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing.’