Swinney says it looks like families were lied to in hospital inquiry

First Minister John Swinney said it "does look like" families of patients at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital were given a different explanation earlier, but he said the public inquiry must reach its own conclusions. Oral hearings have finished and Lord Brodie will publish a full report and recommendations at a later date.

John Swinney said it "does look like" families of patients who acquired infections while treated at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital were given a different explanation earlier, but he also said the public inquiry should decide the facts. He described a cultural problem within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that the inquiry is reporting on. The inquiry has completed its oral hearings and will move to report-writing, with Lord Brodie to publish a full report and recommendations at a later date. Key points: - John Swinney said it "does look like" families were given a different explanation earlier, but left final findings to Lord Brodie and the inquiry. - The public inquiry has finished oral evidence; Lord Brodie will publish a report and recommendations later, with no set deadline for publication. - NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde previously denied a water link to infections but recently said there was a connection on the balance of probabilities and acknowledged the hospital opened before it was ready. - Police and prosecutors have been reported to be investigating a number of deaths connected to the hospital; authorities have said investigations are ongoing and cannot comment further. Summary: John Swinney highlighted a cultural problem within the health board and said the inquiry is uncovering those issues. Lord Brodie will set out findings and recommendations in a future report; timing is undetermined at this time. Ongoing police and prosecutorial investigations have been reported alongside the inquiry.