The mother of a ten-year-old girl who died after contracting an infection at Glasgow’s flagship hospital has urged Nicola Sturgeon to “come forward and be honest” about what she knew ahead of the facility opening.
Kimberly Darroch’s daughter Milly Main died in 2017 after picking up an infection at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) campus.
The hospital has been subject to examination by the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, with the health board admitting last week it was likely the environment at the hospital had led to infections.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde officials also told the Scottish Hospitals public inquiry that pressure was applied to open the hospital on time and on budget before it was ready.
The hospital was commissioned while Sturgeon was health secretary and it opened when she was first minister, leading opposition politicians to ask the former SNP leader to make a statement to Holyrood.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar on Friday, Ms Darroch said: “We don’t actually know who applied pressure, it’s really not for me to say.
“I do believe Nicola Sturgeon knows something, my message to her is to come forward and be honest.”
‘Apologies ring hollow’
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde offered a “sincere and unreserved apology” to the patients and families affected, but Scottish Labour leaders have said the apologies “ring hollow” for many.
A widow of one of the victims has said she does not accept the health board’s apology.
“We are at a critical and dangerous juncture in the story of QEUH infection scandal,” a statement from Louise Slorance, the widow of infection victim Andrew Slorance said.
“I do not accept [the health board’s] apology as I do not believe they have accepted all the fatal failures of the hospital.”
On Friday, Ms Darroch added: “We are certainly closer to the truth than we were six years ago, nevertheless I do feel as though we only have half the story.
“All I ever asked for was the truth – the truth about what went so catastrophically wrong and why at Glasgow’s super hospital.
“This journey has been utterly heart-breaking for myself and Milly’s family. I am appealing directly to the [Greater Glasgow and Clyde] health board – please finally do the right thing and admit where, when, and why it went wrong while being completely transparent and own it.
“We need to prevent this from ever happening again.”
Addressing the Scottish Government, Ms Darroch said: “I expected more from you. Your inactions have failed us and our children.”
Friday was the final day of closing submissions for the Inquiry.
As the hearings in Edinburgh drew to a close, Lord Brodie said he still had “much work” to do before he submits his final report.
He thanked the inquiry team for their work, noting 186 witnesses have given evidence.
Sturgeon said: “I understand Ms Darroch’s determination to get answers, and my thoughts are very much with her and others affected by the situation at QUEH. I hope the Inquiry report, when published, will offer those affected the answers they want and deserve.
“Any suggestion that I applied pressure for the hospital to open before it was ready or that I had any knowledge of safety concerns at that time are completely untrue.
“The families who lost loved ones in the QUEH have a right to have their questions answered. That is why the independent public inquiry was established while I was First Minister. The Inquiry has had sight of all relevant material and has also been able to take evidence from any individual with insight or information it thought necessary for its work.”
A NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesperson said: “We must respect the integrity of the ongoing Inquiry and legal processes which need to be allowed to reach their conclusions before we can provide further comment.
“We would, in the meantime, like to reiterate our sincere and unreserved apology to the patients and families affected.
“We want to reassure patients, families and staff that the QEUH and RHC are safe today. Ensuring the safe care of our patients is our key priority at all times.
“Comprehensive steps have been taken to address past physical defects in the building, and a significant and ongoing programme of maintenance and monitoring is in place. Our staff are committed to providing safe, high-quality care.
“In our closing statements, we have acknowledged issues with past culture and communication, and we are committed to learning and continuing to improve our approach.
“We have outlined the significant improvements undertaken as an organisation during this time to improve governance and oversight, and that issues are being addressed both proactively and reactively, and in a timely manner.
“We encourage any employee to get in touch directly to discuss concerns they may have to allow us to address directly.”
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