First Minister Expresses Regret to Families Affected by Glasgow Hospital Infections
First Minister John Swinney has conveyed his apologies for the distress experienced by families who lost loved ones due to infections at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, while maintaining his view that the hospital remains safe.
On Thursday, Swinney held an online meeting with families impacted by issues at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus.
Speaking to BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, he stated that he expressed regret for the experiences endured by patients and their families but emphasized that, based on the information available to him, he believed the hospital was safe.
He also noted the importance of allowing the ongoing public inquiry to reach its conclusions regarding the effects of building faults on patient health.
Background of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Infection Concerns
The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus, which incorporates the Royal Hospital for Children, became Scotland's largest healthcare facility upon its opening in 2015.
However, within a few years, it became apparent that several cancer patients had died and many others had fallen ill after contracting infections during their treatment at the hospital.
In 2019, the late health secretary Jeane Freeman announced a public inquiry to investigate the design, construction, commissioning, and maintenance of the hospital buildings, as well as their impact on patients.
Details from Swinney's Interview with Laura Kuenssberg
During an interview for BBC's Sunday programme with Laura Kuenssberg, Swinney was asked about his remarks to families affected by the hospital issues during the recent meeting.
"I expressed my regret for the experiences of families and in some cases for the loss of children who had been cared for at the hospital."
He further stated:
"I said to the families that fundamentally I believe the hospital is a safe hospital on the basis of all of the data that I have available to me.
But we have a public inquiry that is looking at the original construction and development of the hospital and the issues that have emerged as a consequence.
It's important that I leave that inquiry, the adequate space, to come to its conclusions."
When pressed on whether he had apologized to the families, Swinney affirmed:
"Of course I did, yes."
Safety Validations and Ongoing Investigations
During the BBC interview, Swinney was repeatedly questioned about whether the hospital had received a full set of safety validations for every ward and unit, a concern also raised by opposition parties.
Although he did not provide a definitive answer, he remarked:
"What I'm saying to you is that essentially that work has been undertaken on an ongoing basis to make sure the hospital is safe.
And in the course of the public inquiry there were specific examples of water analysis and ventilation system analysis that gave greater levels of confidence about the safety of the hospital."
In January, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, in its closing submission to the public inquiry, acknowledged for the first time that problems with the water system likely caused infections in some patients treated at the children's hospital.
During inquiry hearings, it was revealed that certain aspects of the installed water and ventilation systems did not meet national technical standards.
The health board has implemented mitigations, including bespoke cleaning regimes and other infection control measures, to reduce risks.
Families' Response and Government Statement
A spokesperson representing the families who met with Swinney on Thursday expressed gratitude for the time he dedicated to them.
They also welcomed the offer of dedicated seats on a new Safety and Public Confidence Oversight Group, which aims to restore public trust.
A Scottish government spokesperson stated:
"The first minister was grateful to meet with more families this week and is sorry for the profound pain they have suffered.
On the call he expressed his deep sorrow for the unimaginable pain, grief and loss they have experienced.
He welcomed the engagement and appreciated the candour and views expressed by them during the meeting.
He made clear that the meeting was the start of a wider discussion with the government to help families get the answers they need."
Current Status of the Public Inquiry
The public inquiry, led by Lord Brodie, is currently reviewing evidence and considering its findings.
