Ministers could face corporate homicide probe over superhospital deaths

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde has accepted a causal link between the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital water system and infections in vulnerable patients; the Crown Office says a police investigation is ongoing and a judge-led inquiry is due to hear final oral statements this week.

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde has told a judge-led inquiry that, on the balance of probabilities, some infections among patients were linked to the water system at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH). The admission reverses earlier denials by the board and follows years of concern from clinical staff and families about infections after the hospital opened in 2015. Prosecutors instructed police to open a criminal investigation in 2021 and the health board was named a suspect in 2023. Families and political figures have called for ministers to be drawn into any further investigation. Key known facts: - NHSGGC has accepted a causal connection between the QEUH water system and some patient infections, on the balance of probabilities. - A Crown Office police investigation into several deaths and infections remains ongoing; the health board has previously been named as a suspect. - A judge-led inquiry into the hospital’s design, construction and management is hearing final oral statements this week. Summary: The board’s admission has prompted renewed calls for wider accountability and has been described by some politicians and family representatives as a turning point. The criminal investigation remains active and the public inquiry continues with final hearings this week; further legal and procedural developments are undetermined at this time.