Police now investigating six patient deaths at scandal-hit hospital

The First Minister was speaking after reports that Police Scotland is now investigating the deaths of six patients at the Glasgow super-hospital.

In the past week, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde admitted there was a link between water contamination and infections in child cancer patients at the hospital, and said there was pressure to open the hospital early despite safety concerns being raised.

Over the weekend the First Minister said the Scottish Government would take any recommendations made by the ongoing Scottish hospitals inquiry, which is being led by Lord Brodie, “very, very seriously”.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Swinney said: “The families who have suffered unimaginably as a consequence of all the issues that are involved must have that truth.

“I think what the events of this week have demonstrated is that the inquiry led by Lord Brodie is doing exactly what we asked him to do, which was to get to the truth, and I want to make sure we get to that point.”

He added: “It’s quite clear there’s been a cultural problem in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and that the inquiry essentially is flushing out that issue.”

When asked if the families had been lied to, Mr Swinney said: “It does look like that, but ultimately it’s for Lord Brodie to come to those conclusions.”

The Mail on Sunday yesterday reported that the deaths of three adults and three children are now under investigation and that the Crown Office (COPFS) has instructed officers from Police Scotland to act.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “COPFS asked Police Scotland to investigate a number of deaths at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus, Glasgow.

“Police Scotland has submitted a report to COPFS.

“As this investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde added: “We can confirm that we are continuing to support this investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Over the weekend Dr Christine Peters, one of the three whistleblowing doctors at the hospital, also told how she was not satisfied the hospital is now safe.

The consultant microbiologist was reported as saying: “There is a gap in the evidence currently, which is that there is no validation for every area of the hospital available.

“There are big parts of the hospital that have not been covered in the discussion.

“There are treatment rooms, outpatient clinics, renal suites, day surgery suites, there are huge parts of radiology, there are huge parts of the hospital that have not come under specific scrutiny.

“That seems to be a very basic request, that 10 years after the hospital was opened, what paperwork can you show us that demonstrates the actual state of play of every single part of the hospital?

“It’s clear from the evidence to the inquiry there is a gap, and that I think needs to be filled.”

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde released a statement on Saturday evening and said that all public sector capital projects are under pressure to open on time and on budget, and that concerns about pressure to open the hospital early were “made in general terms only”.

The health board also said the chief executive was “not aware of any water issues” until 2021 and “therefore could not have made anyone else aware of those issues”.

The statement said: “NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde apologises for the historical failings that have been highlighted by the Scottish hospitals inquiry. We would like to reiterate our sincere and unreserved apology for the patients, families and staff affected.

“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde wants to give an assurance to current patients, family members, staff and members of the public that 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, with a significant and ongoing programme of maintenance and monitoring in place to ensure the quality and safety of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children today.”

The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children opened in April 2015, costing £840 million.

In March 2018 it emerged that three children were being treated for infections that may be linked to contaminated water. A few months later in September 2018, child cancer patients at the Royal Hospital for Children were moved from two wards due to the water supply issue.

The health board told the hospitals inquiry that infection rates fell after remedial works, including changes to the water system, were carried out in 2018. The Scottish Government launched the hospitals inquiry in September 2019 into the two Glasgow hospitals and the new children's hospital in Edinburgh. In March 2021 an independent review found 84 children were infected with rare bacteria while undergoing treatment at the hospital and at least two deaths were in part as a result of the infections.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was named as a suspect in a corporate homicide investigation following the deaths of three children and 73-year-old Gail Armstrong, who died after contracting a fungal infection linked to pigeon droppings.

Since the beginning of the year, the health board admitted to the inquiry that there was a link between contaminated water and infections in child cancer patients. It also said the super-hospital opened too early despite safety concerns being raised.