'Damning' evidence of political pressure to open scandal-hit hospital - Sarwar

"Both the Scottish government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) have denied that the health board was pushed to open the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) before it was ready. But speaking at First Minister's Questions, Sarwar produced government meeting notes stating that "political pressure" was felt by the health board. John Swinney said a public inquiry commissioned by his government would explore such issues in full."

"The Scottish Hospital Inquiry is looking into the design and construction of the QEUH complex in the wake of deaths linked to infections. NHSGGC admitted recently that problems with the hospital water system probably did cause infections in child cancer patients - having initially denied this. Earlier this month, the health board said that it was under pressure to open the QEUH before it was ready in 2015."

Government meeting notes state that "political pressure" was felt by the health board and that no consideration was given to delaying the hospital opening despite completion and operational issues. Both the Scottish Government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde deny that the health board was pushed to open the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital before it was ready. The Scottish Hospital Inquiry examines the QEUH design and construction after deaths linked to infections. NHSGGC recently admitted that problems with the hospital water system probably caused infections in child cancer patients, after initially denying this. The health board reported being under pressure to open in 2015, raising concerns about timing ahead of the general election.

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