Summary
The health board for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has admitted that issues with the water system at a major hospital likely caused infections that led to patient deaths, including children. The acknowledgment came during a Scottish Hospitals Inquiry into the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital's construction and related infections. The health board now recognizes a connection between some patient infections and the hospital's water system after reviewing expert evidence.
Key Facts
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde admitted that the hospital's water system likely caused infections in patients.
- Initially, the health board denied that the water system was responsible for these infections.
- A Scottish Hospitals Inquiry is looking into the construction and design of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
- Milly Main, a 10-year-old patient, died in 2017 after contracting a bacterial infection while being treated for leukemia.
- NHSGGC has now stated there is a probable connection between some infections and the water system environment.
- The Scottish government has established an inquiry to learn lessons for future hospital projects and is supporting investigations.
- There was a decrease in infection rates after changes were made to the water system.
- Prosecutors are investigating a corporate homicide linked to deaths at the hospital.
