Nicola Sturgeon denies putting pressure on NHS chiefs to open scandal-hit QEUH too early
Families have called for the former first minister to be “honest” with what she knew
Nicola Sturgeon has denied putting pressure on NHS chiefs to open the SNP government’s flagship Glasgow hospital after the mother of a 10-year-old who was killed after contracting an infection told her to “be honest” about what she knew about the scandal.
The former first minister has said that any allegations that she put pressure on NHS bosses to open the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) before it was ready are “completely untrue”.
Kimberly Darroch, whose 10-year-old daughter, Milly Main, was killed after contracting an infection at the hospital, spoke out at a press conference held after the final evidence sessions of a public inquiry into Scotland’s hospital deaths scandal was held.
Ms Darroch spoke alongside Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who first raised the case in 2017.
Mr Sarwar accused First Minister John Swinney of telling MSPs untrue statements after he told Holyrood at FMQs on Thursday that the Scottish Government was not made aware of issues at the QEUH until March 2018.
“That is categorically untrue”, the Scottish Labour leader said.
“The system of infection and control means that when a HIIAT (Hospital Infection Incident Assessment Tool) red warning is issued, the health minister must be informed,
“A HIIAT red warning was issued in June 2017. So either the health secretary was informed and the action wasn’t taken or again, she did not perform her duty where she has to be told.”
Shona Robison was SNP health secretary of the time, but neither her nor Ms Sturgeon, who was first minister at the time, were called to give evidence to the inquiry.
In 2019, Jean Freeman, who replaced Ms Robison as health secretary, overruled NHS Lothian's plans to open the new children's hospital in Edinburgh after last-minute inspections found safety concerns over its ventilation system.
“Why didn’t Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney and Shona Robison do the same”, for the QEUH, Mr Sarwar said.
He added: “We now know that there was an internal report that was issued just weeks before the children’s hospital opened that said there was high risks of infection and therefore high risk to life in immunocompromised patients.
“That report didn’t see the light of day and was ignored and the hospital opened anyway.”
Speaking at the press conference, Ms Darroch said that “all I’ve ever asked for is the truth, the truth of what went so catastrophically wrong and why at Glasgow’s super-hospital”.
She added: “This journey has been utterly heartbreaking for myself and Milly’s family.
“The only thing I can be sure of today is that Milly does not want me to give up until the truth is uncovered.”
Ms Darroch called on the bosses at the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) health board to “admit where, when and why it went wrong”.
She added: “We need to prevent this from ever happening again.”
Pointing the finger at the Scottish Government, Ms Darroch added: “I expected more from you – your actions have failed us and our children.”
On Thursday, Mr Swinney denied that the Scottish Government put pressure on health bosses to open the flagship hospital too early.
Asked if she believes Ms Sturgeon had put pressure on NHS chiefs to open the QEUH too early, Ms Darroch said: “We don’t actually know who applied pressure. It’s really not for me to say.
“I do believe that Nicola Sturgeon knows something. My message to her is to come forward and be honest.”
In a statement issued in response, Ms Sturgeon said: “I understand Ms Darroch’s determination to get answers, and my thoughts are very much with her and others affected by the situation at QEUH. I hope the inquiry report, when published, will offer those affected the answers they want and deserve.
"Any suggestion that I applied pressure for the hospital to open before it was ready or that I had any knowledge of safety concerns at that time are completely untrue.”
She added: “The families who lost loved ones in the QEUH have a right to have their questions answered. That is why the independent public inquiry was established while I was first minister.
“The inquiry has had sight of all relevant material and has also been able to take evidence from any individual with insight or information it thought necessary for its work.”
Mr Sarwar claimed that “what’s happened at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is at the very least, negligence, but more likely, criminal incompetence”.
He added: “We know that infections and deaths have taken place. What we don’t know and what we don’t have is sufficient answers for those families.”
Maureen Dynes’ husband Tony contracted two infections during his cancer treatment at the QEUH and died in 2021.
Speaking at the press conference, Ms Dynes said that after going into hospital for treatment, “he never came home”.
She added: “Within a week, just less than a week, he passed away.”
“Regardless of age, everybody is entitled to be safe when they go in to receive treatment”, she said.
“We don’t need anything extra added onto the burden of that horrific journey that we all go through. I hope that we do get answers.”
Louise Slorance, whose husband Andrew died after contracting an infection at the hospital, issued a statement to coincide with the final inquiry evidence sessions.
She said: “The truth is that the entire ventilation system, as agreed by GGC, fails patients. The UK’s largest hospital has a 1970s standard of ventilation system, unfit for modern healthcare.
“The chief executive told the inquiry there were no plans to change this. For the sake of money and reputation, they will continue to gamble with people’s lives.”
Highlighting criticism of the health board, Mr Sarwar said: “I think their approach in this entire episode is nothing short of disgraceful and also criminal.
“I honestly believe that they will be made to pay for their behaviour.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “We must respect the integrity of the ongoing Inquiry and legal processes which need to be allowed to reach their conclusions before we can provide further comment.
“We would in the meantime like to reiterate our sincere and unreserved apology to the patients and families affected.
“We want to reassure patients, families and staff that the QEUH and RHC are safe today. Ensuring the safe care of our patients is our key priority at all times.
“Comprehensive steps have been taken to address past physical defects in the building, and a significant and ongoing programme of maintenance and monitoring is in place. Our staff are committed to providing safe, high-quality care.”
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The evidence before the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry clearly indicates that the Scottish Government was not made aware of issues at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Campus until March 2018.
“This was confirmed today by the statement made by counsel to the inquiry as part of the final Inquiry hearing.
“The Government brought forward the public inquiry so that families - some of whom I have met, and to whom I pay tribute for their work and their diligence following the trauma that they have undoubtedly experienced - can get answers to the questions that they are posing.
“It is because we have instigated a public inquiry that, I believe, we are getting to the truth, and it is right that Lord Brodie now be given the space to consider all the evidence.”
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