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The Herald Scotland
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Man with Hep C virus not told for 20 years he was infected
Our sister title the Greenock Telegraph reports how the 58-year-old was told in October that he had hepatitis C and that it was likely he'd had the virus for 40 years as a result of an operation in 1984. But Frank said he later discovered that his GP surgery, Ardgowan Medical Practice, knew he'd tested positive for the virus back in 2002 – results he says were confirmed in January of the following year. Frank Jamieson at Ardgowan Medical Practice (Image: George Munro) Frank, who lives in Mallard Crescent, told the Greenock Telegraph that after making a complaint to the practice, he was told that his test results were never passed on to him because he didn't call to get them. Now caught up in the long-running contaminated blood scandal, Frank says he wants to speak out now in case there are others in Inverclyde in the same position. He was finally told the news of his positive 'hep C' test last October after years of health problems. "It has ruined my life,' he said. 'I have suffered from depression for a long time and have lost everything. 'My health was so bad, and I had no idea why. It turned out they were all symptoms of hep C.' Frank is now under the care of the SAMH charity (Scottish Action for Mental Health) as well as the NHS's local community mental health team. Read more health news in The Herald: 'I have been suicidal,' he said. 'Right now, I don't want to be here. 'I want justice. I want to be heard, and I want Ardgowan Medical Practice to take responsibility for what happened. 'The surgery had my results but they never passed them on. 'But after all those years of going to the doctor, and that information being on my file, they are blaming me.' The hepatitis C virus can cause chronic liver disease, potentially leading to cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure if untreated. Fortunately Frank, who worked as an engineer until ill health forced him to give up work, is now free of hep C after undergoing anti-viral treatment. He says that after staff at the IRH diagnosed him as having the virus in October, he was later contacted by Ardgowan Medical Practice, who produced positive blood test results dated January 6, 2003. Frank said: "I had my blood tests taken in late 2002 because my now wife and I were set to go through another round of IVF. "We had two unsuccessful tries on the NHS and were going to pay for a third. "But that Christmas we both lost our jobs with Fullarton Electronics when they closed down. 'Our lives fell apart. All our plans were halted. We still got married, but we couldn't afford the IVF, so we weren't able to try again. 'Hepatitis C can cause infertility. We would have known that then if we'd had the results.' Frank did visit his doctor a year later, but says he was told nothing about the positive hep C test. (Image: George Munro) And five years ago his health began to deteriorate rapidly, with severe nerve and joint pain. He also began showing signs of Raynaud's phenomenon, which causes cold and numb fingers and is a visible symptom of hepatitis C. Medics now believe Frank contracted hepatitis C during an operation to correct a broken leg he suffered in a road accident in 1984. 'I've had hep C for 40 years,' he said. 'The accident happened on a bad winter's day, at the Tuck Shop, on the road outside the Ardgowan Practice, unbelievably. "My leg didn't set right and I had to go in for an operation. 'Now I find I'm a victim of the contaminated blood scandal. But my journey is just beginning.' (Image: George Munro) Frank has shown the Tele a letter he received from Ardgowan Medical Practice, responding to his complaint, in which they told him that the procedure for blood test results is the same today as it was in 2003 – that patients should phone within seven days of the test to find out the results. The practice also told Frank it has no record of a phone call from him asking for the results. The Tele has also seen a letter from the practice in response to a second complaint made by Frank in which they say that unless he specifically asked about the blood test during an appointment, a GP would not check his records. He said: "I want to speak out about this because I have nothing left to lose. "I feel that Ardgowan Practice should be more accountable and take responsibility for what happened. "There is no way they should not have passed those results on to me. I asked them, where were the results all those years? Were they sitting in a drawer until I phoned? 'This has destroyed my life. For 20 years it was known I had hep C. "I want to make sure that this never happens to anyone else. If anything good is to come out of this, it is that people will be aware of what happened to me. "There might be other people out there who have missed blood test results, who have hep C or something else and who don't know. "I also fear that if I was infected by contaminated blood at the IRH in 1984 there might be other people out there in the same situation who don't know about it." (Image: George Munro) In a further blow, Frank says he has been told by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman that it will not investigate his case because of the passage of time. Frank says he is now hoping for justice through the Scottish Infected Blood Support Scheme (SIBSS) after facing a race against time to get his compensation claim in. The SIBSS provides support to people in Scotland who contracted hepatitis C and/or HIV from NHS blood, blood products, or tissue. Ardgowan Medical Practice decline to comment when approached by the Telegraph.
The National
22-05-2025
- The National
Police Scotland worker caught accessing secret files
Joanna Miller committed dozens of data protection breaches while she was working from home in Gourock. She resigned last year after Police Scotland launched an investigation, the Greenock Telegraph reported. The 32-year-old, who was working as a criminal justice support officer at the time, covered her head with a brightly-coloured jacked in a bid to avoid photographers when she left Greenock Sheriff Court this week after confessing to her guilt. Miller admitted accessing information from Police Scotland's crime management system without a legitimate purpose on 18 occasions. She also pleaded guilty to four charges relating to the obtaining and disclosing of personal data from Police Scotland personnel files. Almost all the offences were committed while Miller was working at an address in Gourock's Avonmouth Place. The court was told that anti-corruption unit investigation was launched after police received intelligence that Miller was in contact with an individual who was under investigation for other matters. Her conversations with the man came to light after his phone was seized and analysed by police. Miller's solicitor said her client had committed the offences out of "personal curiosity". Miller initially faced a total of 44 charges, but her pleas of not guilty were accepted to the remaining 22 allegations. (Image: Newsquest) The court heard that criminal justice support officers provide an administrative function within the force and are responsible for updating crime reports throughout the west of Scotland. These members of staff have the ability to access, view, update or print crime reports which contain personal data on victims, witnesses and suspects. One breach occurred on a date in November 2020 when she was not scheduled to be working. The investigation found that Miller had repeatedly gained access to police systems without a legitimate policing purpose. Miller's line manager determined that she would have had no reason to view these reports as no requests were made to update the files on the dates they were accessed. In November 2022, Miller obtained a photograph of a special constable and sent it to friends in a WhatsApp group. She acted in a similar manner a few weeks later by disclosing a photograph of another criminal justice support officer. Miller was suspended from her Police Scotland role pending the investigation, and resigned from the post in August last year. Defence solicitor Amy Spencer said: 'Apart from what your lordship has heard about sharing a couple of images in a WhatsApp group, there is no suggestion that any more of the information was shared with anybody else. 'There is no suggestion of any malicious intent.' Spencer added: 'Her life since the investigation commenced has been on hold. 'She has been unable to apply for jobs with this hanging over her head.' Sheriff Sean Lynch asked whether the involvement of the man whose phone was analysed was "fortuitous" and that there was "nothing more sinister" at play. A fiscal depute confirmed that while Miller had been in contact with the man, there was no suggestion that their conversation included the matters which brought her to court. Sheriff Lynch told Miller: 'Despite the concession that has just been made by the Crown, the fact of the matter is that this is a course of conduct which amounted to 22 offences over a period of almost three years.' Greenock Sheriff Court, where Joanna Miller pleaded guilty to 22 separate data protection breaches. (Image: Newsquest) Miller was warned she could face a substantial fine for the offences. Sentencing was deferred until June 10 to allow the court time to find out more about her financial circumstances. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "We are committed to building public trust and confidence, and maintaining the consent which is critical to our ability to keep our communities and citizens safe. "We will investigate complaints against any officer or member of staff who does not live up to our standards and values."
Scottish Sun
25-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Scots shoppers devastated after ‘irreplaceable' store closes for good after 130 years
Gutted locals flocked to social media to share their fond memories off the institution GOT TO GRO Scots shoppers devastated after 'irreplaceable' store closes for good after 130 years SCOTS shoppers have been left devastated after a much-loved store closed its doors after 130 years. The shutters have been pulled down on Murray's Greengrocers and Florists on Princes Street, Port Glasgow. Advertisement 1 Murray's Greengrocers and Florists has closed its doors Credit: Google The business, run by brothers Gordon and Alistair Murray, was established back in 1891. They have now decided to close and enjoy their retirement after 60 years, reports the Greenock Telegraph. A post on the Port Glasgow Facebook page on Saturday read: "When people say it's the end of an era, it can come across as a bit overstated. "In this case we can truly say without fear of contradiction, this is the end of an era! Advertisement "The Murray family have been grocers in Port Glasgow for generations. "Alistair retires bringing down the shutters for the final time in a true legacy business within Port Glasgow. "So many memories from the two shops, back to back, King Street and Princes Street. "When will we see your likes again? Never I'd guess. But we have the memories and the ability to still buy local." Advertisement Gutted locals flocked to the comments to share their fond memories of the institution. One wrote: "Wishing all the best to everyone at Murray's. We've bought lots of flowers over the years and have never been disappointed, you will be missed." UK Retail Shake-Up: Superdry and More Another said: "So sad, end of an era. Another empty shop, sad times. Good luck to you all." A third added: "Very sad as it was a great shop. We now have no fish, fruit and veg shop in Port Glasgow or Greenock." Advertisement A fourth weighed in: "All the best on your retirement, well deserved." A fifth put: "Hopefully it won't lie empty for long."
