Pensioner dies after being ‘wrongly injected with alfentanil’ in Scots hospital

A PENSIONER died after being ‘wrongly injected with alfentanil’ at Scotland’s crisis-hit superhospital – the second similar death on the wards in two years.

The frail 74-year-old passed away suddenly at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow in early May after the ‘fatal overdose’ of the powerful opioid.

Worried NHS Greater and Clyde bosses reported the death to Police Scotland the same day and officers have launched an investgation.

The death came the same month as a nurse appeared in court charged with killing a patient by ‘injecting him with alfentanil without confirming his identity.’

A source said: “This has been kept completely under wraps by worried bosses.

“Very few people know this even happened but word has begun to spead across the wards and patients will be concerned.

“While the gentleman was frail and obviously unwell, he wasn’t expected to pass so suddenly.

“The main line of inquiry is he’s been given the wrong injection.”

A spokesman for the health board said: “In line with NHSGGC protocols, we have reported the death of a patient at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Friday, 3 May, 2024 to Police Scotland.

“Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family of the patient.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Sunday, 5 May, we received a report of the death of a 74-year-old man within the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Friday, 3 May.

“Enquiries are at an early stage to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.”

Last month, Blake Dolan, 31, appeared at Glasgow sheriff court accused of injecting Martin Weldon, 36, with opioid alfentanil at the hospital on August 13, 2022.

Court papers allege Dolan was acting in his capacity as a registered nurse when he prepared the drug without proper regard to hospital regulations.

The charge says Dolan attended Mr Weldon’s bedside while he was a patient, now deceased.

It is claimed Dolan was in possession of a syringe containing alfentanil – a drug which Mr Weldon, from Dumbarton, had not been prescribed.

It is alleged Dolan culpably and recklessly, without conducting proper checks to confirm his identity and correct prescription, injected Mr Weldon with a lethal dosage and killed him.

Dolan made no plea yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the single charge of culpable homicide.

Dolan, of the city’s Bridgeton, was granted bail by sheriff Andrew McIntyre.

His next court appearance date is to be determined.