The long-running public inquiry into the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow has delivered a devastating series of admissions this week, laying bare the systemic failures that led to serious infections and deaths among vulnerable cancer patients.
At the heart of the scandal is the case of Molly Cuddihy, who was just 15 years old when she was first diagnosed with a rare bone cancer in 2018. During her treatment at the QEUH, Molly contracted a bacterial infection that she believed was caused by the hospital’s contaminated water system. “I was made sicker by the environment,” the 19-year-old told the inquiry in 2021.
Tragically, Molly passed away last August, her organs irreparably weakened by the powerful drugs used to combat the infections as well as her cancer treatment. Her father, John Cuddihy, has attended the final stages of the inquiry in her stead, determined to see the truth finally emerge.
This week, the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGCC) health board finally admitted that serious infections in 84 child cancer patients, two of whom died, were “probably caused” by the contaminated water system at the flagship £842 million hospital. This came after years of denial, with the board previously dismissing the concerns of patients, families and whistleblowers.
The inquiry also heard the damning revelation that the hospital was simply not ready to open when it did in April 2015, just before the general election. The health board acknowledged that “pressure was applied to open the hospital on time and on budget” despite tests in late 2014 having highlighted the presence of microbes in the water supply.
The families affected have expressed fury at the “deceit and conniving cowardice” displayed by the health board, accusing them of “lying to, disbelieving, demeaning and smearing” those who raised the alarm. They have warned that the QEUH is not a safe hospital and that the current leadership of NHSGCC “cannot be trusted to make it safe”.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has described the scandal as “the biggest in the history of the Scottish parliament”, suggesting that the cover-up goes right to the top and calling for criminal investigations into Scottish government ministers responsible at the time, including Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney.
As the inquiry’s final report is anticipated later this year, the families’ fight for justice and accountability continues. They are determined to ensure that the failings exposed at the QEUH never happen again, so that no other families have to endure the pain and trauma they have experienced.