Families who lost loved ones during the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) campus scandal in Glasgow have called for the health board officials responsible to “face a reckoning.” The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which has been examining the design and construction of the QEUH, has heard harrowing testimonies from grieving relatives who feel they were “lied to, demeaned and smeared” by the authorities.
The inquiry, chaired by Lord Brodie, was established in 2020 to investigate the construction of the QEUH and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh, both of which have been plagued by serious issues, including water contamination and ventilation problems. These failings have been linked to patient infections and, in some cases, deaths.
One family member, who wished to remain anonymous, told the inquiry that their relative’s death was “absolutely avoidable” and that the health board had failed to take responsibility. “We were lied to, demeaned and smeared by the health board,” they said. “They need to face a reckoning for the way they have treated us.”
Another witness, Kimberly Darroch, whose 10-year-old daughter Milly died after contracting an infection at the QEUH, said the family had been “let down at every single turn.” She described the hospital as a “death trap” and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
The inquiry has also heard evidence from whistleblowers and former employees of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the health board responsible for the QEUH. These witnesses have painted a picture of a culture of secrecy and a reluctance to acknowledge the seriousness of the issues at the hospital.
One former employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that concerns raised by staff about the hospital’s design and construction were “brushed under the carpet.” They claimed that the health board prioritised “saving face” over patient safety.
The revelations from the inquiry have sparked outrage and calls for those responsible to be held accountable. Families have demanded that the health board officials who oversaw the QEUH project be removed from their positions and face potential criminal charges.
In a statement, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said that it was “committed to learning from the past” and that it would “fully cooperate” with the inquiry. However, the families involved have expressed little faith in the health board’s ability to regain their trust.
As the inquiry continues, the families of those affected by the QEUH scandal are determined to ensure that the truth is finally brought to light and that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.