Andrew Slorance, a civil servant who was head of the Scottish Government’s response and communication unit, died nearly six weeks into his stay. Ms Sturgeon attended the father-of-five’s wake.

His cause of his death was listed as Covid pneumonia, but Mrs Slorance discovered when she requested his medical notes, he had also been treated for an infection caused by aspergillus.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it had been “open and honest” and there was no attempt to conceal information from the family. 

Ms Sturgeon said on Thursday that an “independent external review of Andrew’s case notes” would be conducted.

However, she said: “Sacking a health board does not change overnight the practice in a hospital, that is why the actual work has to be done. When concerns are raised about the cause of someone’s death, then that has to be properly investigated so that the action that is then taken as a result of that is the right action.”

In a statement, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “It’s a painful tragedy for any family to lose their child and we would like to share our deepest condolences with both families.

“We welcome open discussions with anyone who may have questions around care provided and would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the families to speak with us directly, when they feel able to do so. Infection control procedures at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital are rigorous and of the highest standard.”