Mother of Milly Main urges Nicola Sturgeon to ‘be honest’ about Glasgow super-hospital scandal

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.

Glasgow & West

Super-hospital at centre of water infection scandal ‘opened too early’

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has accepted that some infections were likely caused by the water system at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

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.

Nicola Sturgeon has been contacted for comment.