QEUH scandal raises questions for the Scottish government

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has acknowledged contaminated water at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital caused serious infections, and the health board told the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry that pressure was applied to open the hospital on time and it opened too early. The inquiry's chair, Lord Brodie, is due to publish findings that are reported as likely after the May Scottish Parliament elections.

Families who lost loved ones after acquiring infections at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital have seen two developments bring the issue back into public focus. Last week a report said NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde acknowledged contaminated water at the hospital caused serious infections in young cancer patients. The health board made a closing statement to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry saying pressure had been applied to open the hospital on time and that it opened too early and was not ready. The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, established in 2019, is examining the construction and opening of the QEUH campus and related matters. Key recent developments: - NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has been reported as acknowledging that contaminated water at QEUH caused serious infections in young cancer patients. - The health board told the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry that pressure was applied to open the hospital on time and on budget and that the hospital opened too early and was not ready. - The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry was established in 2019; its chair, Lord Brodie, will publish findings and recommendations, which are reported as likely to appear after the May Scottish Parliament elections. Summary: These disclosures have brought the hospital's problems back to the centre of Scotland's political and public debate and have been described in reporting as vindication by affected families and whistleblowers. The immediate status is that the inquiry remains under way and its findings are awaited; publication timing is reported as likely after the May elections.