Full Breakdown
Admission of Water System Issues at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
1/18/2026, 12:09:59 AM
Health Board Acknowledges Causal Connection to Infections
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has admitted that issues with the water system at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) likely caused infections in child cancer patients. This acknowledgment comes during the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which was initiated to investigate the planning, design, and construction of the QEUH campus following reports of unusual infections and the deaths of four patients, including 10-year-old Milly Main. NHSGGC had previously denied any link between the hospital's water supply and the infections but has now stated there is a "causal connection" between the hospital environment and some infections suffered by patients.
In its closing submissions, NHSGGC indicated that it is "more likely than not" that a significant portion of bloodstream infections in the pediatric oncology population between 2016 and 2018 was related to the hospital's water system. The health board noted a "steady decrease" in infection rates after remedial measures were implemented.
Background of the Inquiry
The inquiry was launched amid concerns that the hospital's water system may have contributed to the deaths of Milly Main and three others, including two other children and 73-year-old Gail Armstrong. Milly, who had been in remission from leukemia, died in August 2017 after contracting the rare bacteria Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, which her family believes was linked to contaminated water at the hospital.
Responses from Families and Legal Representatives
Milly's mother, Kimberly Darroch, expressed relief at the health board's admission but criticized the delay in acknowledging the connection. She stated, "As a mother, I've spent six years fighting for answers that should have been given at the very beginning." Patrick McGuire, a senior partner at Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, representing affected families, described the health board's previous denials as "callous evasion and dishonesty." He emphasized the need for accountability for those responsible for the hospital's failings.
Official Statements
A spokesperson for NHSGGC reiterated the board's commitment to supporting the inquiry and acknowledged the change in stance regarding the water system's role in infections. Meanwhile, a Scottish government spokesperson stated that the inquiry was established to provide families with answers and to ensure lessons are learned for future hospital projects, adding that it would be inappropriate to comment further while the inquiry is ongoing.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Despite NHSGGC's admission, some experts, including the former lead infection control doctor at QEUH, have stated there is no direct evidence linking the infections to the hospital's construction. This discrepancy highlights ongoing debates regarding the exact causes of the infections and the hospital's accountability.
What's Next
The inquiry continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the QEUH's construction and the implications of its findings for future healthcare projects. Families affected by the infections are seeking justice and accountability, emphasizing the need for systemic changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
