Suggestion I applied pressure to prematurely open hospital ‘untrue’ – Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon has rejected suggestions she applied pressure to open Glasgow’s flagship hospital before it was ready, saying any such claims are “completely untrue”.

The mother of a 10-year-old girl who died after contracting an infection at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) urged the former first minister to “come forward and be honest” about what she knew ahead of the facility opening.

Milly Main died in 2017 after contracting an infection at the Royal Hospital for Children’s cancer ward on the campus of the QEUH in Glasgow.

The hospital has been subject to examination by the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, with the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board admitting last week it was likely the environment at the hospital had led to infections.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s (NHSGGC) closing submission to the inquiry also said “pressure” was applied to ensure the facility was opened on time in 2015.

The hospital was commissioned while Ms Sturgeon was health secretary and opened when she was first minister, leading opposition politicians to ask the former SNP leader to make a statement to Holyrood.

Milly’s mother Kimberly Darroch spoke at a press conference alongside Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar earlier on Friday.

She 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.”

She welcomed the change in stance from the health board, which said in its closing statement the environment at the hospital likely contributed to infections.

“However, given the evidence we have heard throughout this inquiry and subsequent closing submissions heard this week, I feel strongly that this is the position GGC should have taken six years ago,” she said.

“We are closer to the truth today than we were six years ago, nevertheless I feel as though we only know half the story.”

She added: “All I’ve ever asked for is the truth, the truth of what went so catastrophically wrong and why at Glasgow’s super-hospital.

“This journey has been utterly heartbreaking for myself and Milly’s family, the only thing I can be sure of today is that Milly does not want me to give up until the truth is uncovered.”

Ms Darroch went on to urge bosses at the health board to “admit where, when and why it went wrong”.

She added: “We need to prevent this from ever happening again.”

Ms Sturgeon issued a statement on Friday evening, saying: “I understand Ms Darroch’s determination to get answers, and my thoughts are very much with her and others affected by the situation at QEUH.

“I hope the inquiry report, when published, will offer those affected the answers they want and deserve.

“Any suggestion that I applied pressure for the hospital to open before it was ready or that I had any knowledge of safety concerns at that time are completely untrue.

“The families who lost loved ones in the QEUH have a right to have their questions answered.

“That is why the independent public inquiry was established while I was first minister.

“The inquiry has had sight of all relevant material and has also been able to take evidence from any individual with insight or information it thought necessary for its work.”

Speaking at the press conference, Mr Sarwar paid tribute to the families who have spoken out, as well as the three doctors who blew the whistle on issues at the hospital – Dr Teresa Inkster, Dr Penelope Redding and Dr Christine Peters.

“They are three amazing, inspiring, strong women that were willing to risk their jobs, willing to risk their professional reputations, and willing to take on the might of an organisation that attempted to bully and silence them,” he said.

“I actually think the nation owes you a huge thank you and I hope you get the recognition and reward you deserve for the bravery you have shown.”

Mr Sarwar added that if the three whistleblowers were “not satisfied” with the management of the hospital, “then neither am I and neither should anybody across our great country”.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has also been questioning the Scottish Government on the “pressure” brought to the NHS health board.

Speaking to press on Friday, he said: “What I put to John Swinney at First Minister’s Questions this week was, who brought this pressure on the NHS?

“Was it the Scottish government? Was it then first minister Nicola Sturgeon? Was it any other minister?

“Was it the civil service? He categorically denied there being any such pressure being brought on the NHS by the government.

“Why as the first minister, having presided over this appalling scandal, is he not asking the questions that I’m asking, who put the NHS under this pressure? 

“That’s an answer that needs to be delivered without any more delay.”

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Scottish Government have been approached for comment.