Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has presented official meeting notes to First Minister John Swinney, alleging that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde faced political pressure to open the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) on time. The documents, written by a Scottish Government official, were revealed during First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.
According to Mr Sarwar, the notes state that 'political pressure was also being felt' and that 'no consideration was given to delaying the opening of the hospital despite the issues being faced with completion and operation'. The meetings referenced in the notes took place in December 2019 and January 2020, involving a Scottish Government official, the health board’s director of facilities, and an external consultant.
Mr Swinney responded by pointing to the ongoing Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which is examining the design and construction of the QEUH and the neighbouring Royal Hospital for Children. He noted that the inquiry’s counsel stated on 23 January that 'there is no evidence of external pressure on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to open the hospital early or before it was ready to be opened'.
Mr Sarwar has urged the inquiry chairman, Lord Brodie, to consider the Scottish Government’s actions in the hospital’s commissioning and opening. The inquiry was launched after infections linked to the hospital caused deaths, including that of 10-year-old Milly Main in 2017.
Milly’s mother, Kimberly Darroch, said the documents confirmed her fears that 'political pressure was applied to open the hospital before it was ready'. She accused government ministers of lying and covering their tracks, vowing to continue seeking the full truth.
