Mother Calls for Transparency in Glasgow Hospital Infection Scandal
The grieving mother of a ten-year-old girl who tragically died after contracting an infection at Glasgow's flagship hospital has issued a powerful plea to former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Kimberly Darroch has urged the former SNP leader to "come forward and be honest" about her knowledge of circumstances surrounding the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital's problematic opening.
Heartbreaking Loss and Demands for Accountability
Ms Darroch's daughter, Milly Main, passed away following an infection acquired at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. This facility has become the subject of intense scrutiny through the ongoing Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, with recent developments revealing significant institutional failures.
Last week, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde made a startling admission in their closing submission to the inquiry. The health board acknowledged that the hospital environment likely contributed to infections and revealed that substantial "pressure" had been applied to ensure the facility opened on schedule in 2015.
Political Connections and Timing Concerns
The hospital's commissioning occurred while Nicola Sturgeon served as health secretary, with its opening taking place during her tenure as first minister. This timeline has prompted opposition politicians to demand that Ms Sturgeon provide a formal statement to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Ms Darroch expressed her frustration with the limited information available. "We don't actually know who applied pressure, it's really not for me to say," she stated. "I do believe Nicola Sturgeon knows something, my message to her is to come forward and be honest."
Delayed Admissions and Incomplete Truths
While welcoming the health board's recent change in position, Ms Darroch emphasized that this acknowledgment came far too late. "Given the evidence we have heard throughout this inquiry and subsequent closing submissions heard this week, I feel strongly that this is the position GGC should have taken six years ago," she declared.
The grieving mother described her ongoing quest for answers as "utterly heartbreaking" but remained determined in her pursuit of truth. "All I've ever asked for is the truth, the truth of what went so catastrophically wrong and why at Glasgow's super-hospital," she explained. "The only thing I can be sure of today is that Milly does not want me to give up until the truth is uncovered."
Broader Concerns from Multiple Families
Louise Slorance, whose husband Andrew also died after contracting an infection at the same hospital, joined Ms Darroch in expressing dissatisfaction with the health board's response. She criticized what she perceived as carefully limited admissions of failure and rejected the apology delivered through legal representatives.
"For the sake of money and reputation, they will continue to gamble with people's lives," Ms Slorance warned. "We cannot allow GGC to deflect from this unmanaged and deadly risk. All lives matter."
Political Support and Whistleblower Recognition
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar paid tribute to both the affected families and three doctors who courageously exposed problems at the hospital. Dr Teresa Inkster, Dr Penelope Redding, and Dr Christine Peters risked their professional standing to reveal critical issues.
"They are three amazing, inspiring, strong women that were willing to risk their jobs, willing to risk their professional reputations, and willing to take on the might of an organisation that attempted to bully and silence them," Mr Sarwar stated. "I actually think the nation owes you a huge thank-you."
Cross-Party Pressure for Answers
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has joined calls for greater transparency, directly questioning the Scottish Government about who exerted pressure on the health board. During First Minister's Questions, he challenged Deputy First Minister John Swinney to explain the origins of this pressure.
"Why as the First Minister, having presided over this appalling scandal, is he not asking the questions that I'm asking, who put the NHS under this pressure?" Mr Findlay demanded. "That's an answer that needs to be delivered without any more delay."
The Scottish Government, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and Nicola Sturgeon have all been approached for comment regarding these serious allegations and demands for accountability in this ongoing hospital infection scandal.
