Reports that a hospital board was snooping on grieving families, according to First Minister Humza Yousaf, "disturbed" him.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) acknowledged last week that it had paid a business to keep track of some people's online activity.
Louise Slorance, a widow whose husband passed away in an NHSGGC hospital, was one of those named on the list.
The first minister has been urged to take action by Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
Following First Minister's Questions (FMQs), Mr. Sarwar stated: "This is just the latest in a litany of shameful incidents that have seen the leadership of this health board intimidate whistle-blowers, engage in a cover-up, and thwart the efforts of grieving families who are seeking justice.
The first minister should not need to wait for a probe to realize that spying on the families of deceased patients is wrong; all he needs to do is examine his conscience. ".
He went on to say that the families of those who had spoken out against the health board had been treated with "contempt," and he urged Mr. Yousaf to "fire the rotten leadership of this failing health board.".
After her husband passed away in 2020, Louise Slorance started pressing the health board for explanations.
While receiving treatment for Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) in the hospital, Mr. Slorance, a representative of the Scottish government, contracted Covid despite being in a private room. Almost six weeks into his hospital stay, he passed away.
His widow has expressed her concerns about the specifics of his death since his passing.
In her search for information, she learned that the hospital board had added her to a list for "social listening," which involved keeping an eye on her personal social media accounts and any mentions of her husband.
"Knowing the health board hold a social listening list is sickening," she told the Sunday Mail. Not only does it feel intrusive, but its presence also exposes NHSGGC's toxic culture, which includes bullying of anyone who raises concerns and toxic leadership behaviors, a lack of compassion and accountability, and a lack of compassion. NHSGGC's senior management is unqualified for the job. ".
On Thursday, Ms. Slorance watched the discussion in the chamber from the public gallery in Holyrood.
"I was also troubled by the reports in the newspapers," Mr. Yousaf said during FMQs.
"From what I understand, a board does monitor the media to some extent, especially one with the size of Greater Glasgow and Clyde, as you might expect. ".
The first minister also said that patients should be at the center of any policies governing media monitoring.
A request for comment has been made to NHSGGC.
