A major Scottish health board has made a significant concession, accepting that a hospital's water supply was probably connected to infections suffered by patients, including children. The admission forms a pivotal moment in the ongoing Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which is investigating design and construction issues at two hospitals in Glasgow.
Inquiry Focuses on Design and Construction Flaws
The statutory inquiry has been scrutinising the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) and the adjoining Royal Hospital for Children. Its work was launched in the wake of patient deaths linked to infections, most notably that of 10-year-old Milly Main in 2017. Milly died after contracting an infection while being treated on the children's cancer ward at the Royal Hospital for Children, which is situated on the QEUH campus.
Health Board Shifts Position After Evidence
In newly published closing submissions to the inquiry, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has departed from its earlier stance. While noting it is broadly acknowledged there is no definite link, the board stated it now accepts that, "on the balance of probabilities", a causal connection exists between some patient infections and the hospital environment, specifically the water system.
The submission clarifies that it is more likely than not that a material proportion of additional bloodstream infections in the paediatric haemato-oncology population between 2016 and 2018 were connected to the state of the water system. The board highlighted that infection rates steadily decreased after remedial measures, including work on the water system, began in 2018.
Final Hearings and Official Responses
The inquiry is scheduled to begin hearing final oral submissions from Monday 20 January 2026. When questioned about the closing submissions, an NHSGGC spokesperson stated the board "remains fully committed to supporting the inquiry in its investigations."
A Scottish Government spokesperson reiterated the purpose of the statutory inquiry, stating it was established so families could get answers and lessons could be learned for future projects. As a core participant, the government said it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
