In a powerful and unprecedented public statement, the families of victims caught up in the devastating NHS infections scandal have launched a blistering attack on health chiefs, accusing them of employing what they describe as 'Gestapo tactics' to conceal the truth. The group, representing those who lost loved ones or saw family members fall gravely ill, has demanded immediate dismissals and the stripping of pensions from those responsible for what they term 'despicable incompetence and cover-up' at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC).
A Decade of Deceit and Devastation
The families have articulated their collective trauma, stating they cannot 'overstate the level of deceit and conniving cowardice' displayed as the scandal unfolded. They recount being systematically lied to, disbelieved, demeaned, and smeared by the health board, leaving them 'devastated' and 'traumatised'. Their statement was delivered as their legal representatives prepared to present closing arguments at the ongoing public inquiry into the lethal conditions at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow.
The Human Cost of Systemic Failure
The scandal centres on the £1 billion QEUH campus, which includes the Royal Hospital for Children and opened in 2015. Tragically, several children and adults died, and at least 84 people fell seriously ill after contracting infections linked to the hospital. Among the victims was Andrew Slorance, a 49-year-old civil servant who attended the Scottish cabinet that approved the hospital; he died there from a fungal infection during cancer treatment in 2020. The victims ranged from babies and young children to middle-aged men and women, their images released by family solicitors painting a heartbreaking picture of the toll.
For years, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde denied any connection between the hospital building and an early surge in infections among vulnerable patients. However, in a dramatic last-minute reversal, the board admitted to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry that the infections were likely linked to pathogens in the water system. It further claimed that 'pressure was applied' to open the QEUH despite known 'high risks' of infections, raising serious questions for past and present SNP ministers about their involvement.
Families Demand Accountability and Action
The families' statement directs fury squarely at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, asserting: 'Major flaws in the water and ventilation system killed and poisoned our loved ones.' They emphasise that while each family's experience is unique, they are united by key facts: all were lied to, disbelieved, and traumatised by the board's actions. 'As men, women and children fell ill and died we were all told there is nothing to see here. We were told keep quiet and move along,' they stated.
Their demands are unequivocal: 'The leadership of GGCH past and present must now face a reckoning. Those currently in post must be dismissed immediately with no financial compensation. Those past and present must be stripped of pensions accrued during their time at GGCH.' They warn that, more than a decade after its opening, the hospital remains unsafe because the board's leadership cannot be trusted, calling for new leadership to ensure future safety. 'The fates of our loved ones demand the hospital is made safe. The people of Scotland demand it,' they declared.
Whistleblowers Silenced and Political Pressure Mounts
The families also highlighted the plight of clinical staff who attempted to raise alarms, stating: 'We know that many brave and decent clinicians and staff tried to speak out but were silenced by GGCH gestapo tactics.' They expressed unwavering solidarity with these whistleblowers. The statement concludes with a direct appeal to political leaders: 'Our political leaders must act now. We are not going away.'
Patrick McGuire, senior partner with Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, which represents the families, described their grief as 'heart rending and visceral', noting their statement calls for justice, action, and consequences for the culpable. Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane echoed this, placing ultimate responsibility on SNP ministers for failing to hold health board chiefs to account, and criticising the hospital's rushed opening just ten days before the 2015 general election.
Inquiry Hearings and Institutional Responses
During the inquiry, counsel for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Peter Gray KC, argued that while management failings in the project should be scrutinised and individuals held accountable, personnel working under 'extreme pressure' post-opening should not face specific criticism. Conversely, Ruth Crawford KC, representing the Scottish Government, paid tribute to the affected patients, families, and staff, acknowledging the 'harrowing testimony' provided to the inquiry.
The health board has admitted letting down the doctors who blew the whistle on the infections. The current chief executive, Professor Jann Gardner, was appointed last year, following predecessors Jane Grant (2017-2023) and Robert Calderwood (2009-2017), with Professor John Brown serving as board chair from 2015 to 2023. As the inquiry progresses, the families' demands for transparency, accountability, and systemic change continue to resonate, underscoring a profound crisis in patient safety and institutional trust within Scotland's largest health board.
