In a significant development, Scotland’s independent prosecution and deaths investigation service is probing seven fatalities potentially connected to infections acquired in the hospital environment at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow. This inquiry has intensified following the tragic case of Molly Cuddihy, who passed away last August at the age of 23, seven years after suffering a debilitating hospital-acquired infection. The investigation encompasses several other cases, raising serious concerns about patient safety and hospital management practices.
Hospital Environment Under Scrutiny
The QEUH, which also houses the Royal Hospital for Children, is currently the focus of a public inquiry aimed at determining whether inadequacies in its water and ventilation systems may have contributed to infections that have led to patient deaths. Earlier this month, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde admitted that some infections among paediatric cancer patients were “on the balance of probabilities” linked to conditions in the hospital environment. This admission marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing scrutiny of the hospital’s operational standards.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has received police reports regarding four previous cases, including that of 10-year-old Milly Main, and is contemplating initiating corporate homicide prosecutions. The recent fatalities, which include Andrew Slorance and Tony Dynes, are still under investigation, with police gathering evidence before submitting formal prosecution reports.
Victims and Their Stories
Molly Cuddihy’s ordeal began at 15 when she was diagnosed with metastatic Ewing’s Sarcoma. During her treatment at the Royal Hospital for Children, she contracted a rare mycobacterium chelonae infection. The aggressive antibiotic treatment she required caused severe side effects, further weakening her health. After being readmitted to the QEUH, she tragically succumbed to complications from her illness last year.
Her father, John Cuddihy, expressed his hope that the involvement of the COPFS hospitals unit indicates progress in uncovering the truth behind his daughter’s death. “When I first raised concerns with the authorities many years ago, I had no thought that those concerns would one day involve my daughter’s death,” he told BBC Scotland. His commitment to ensuring a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Molly’s passing highlights the emotional toll on families affected by these tragic events.
Other notable cases under investigation include Milly Main, who died in 2017 after contracting a bacterial infection during recovery from a successful stem cell transplant. Additionally, two unnamed children, aged three and ten, are among the deceased, both having suffered from infections that were contributory factors in their deaths. The family of 73-year-old Gail Armstrong, who passed away shortly after Milly, believes that her decline was hastened by a cryptococcus infection.
Legal Implications and Potential Outcomes
The COPFS first notified NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in November 2023 about its status as a suspect in an ongoing investigation regarding potential corporate homicide and health and safety violations. Under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, organisations can be prosecuted collectively for failings that grossly breach their duty of care.
For a successful prosecution, it must be demonstrated that senior management’s organisation of hospital activities fell significantly short of acceptable standards. If convicted, the health board could face severe penalties, including unlimited fines and mandatory remedial orders to rectify identified failings.
Why it Matters
The ongoing inquiry into these deaths underscores a critical need for accountability within healthcare systems, particularly in environments where vulnerable patients are at risk. The revelations from this investigation may not only reshape the future of hospital management practices in Scotland but could also set a precedent for how public health organisations address safety concerns. As families seek justice for their loved ones, the outcomes of these investigations will play a pivotal role in restoring public trust in healthcare services.
