Full Breakdown
Scientist alleges safety concerns ignored at Scotland’s new super-hospital
8/16/2026, 8:59:22 PM
Core Event: Unanswered safety alerts at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Dr Michael Bradnam, a medical physicist who has worked for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) for more than four decades, told the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry that he raised formal safety concerns over a 15-year period. He submitted three Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) reports: the first in 2020 highlighted inadequate ventilation and temperature control in anaesthetic rooms, noting air-change rates of two to three per hour—far below the 15 changes per hour he considered necessary. A second SBAR in 2024 warned that no NHSGGC department was checking wiring and earth bonding in critical care areas, creating a patient-safety and business risk. A third report in 2025 identified recurring humidity-control failures in imaging suites, raising the possibility of equipment damage and microbial growth. Bradnam said none of these reports received a formal response or documented follow-up.
Background & Context: Inquiry into design and construction flaws
The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry was launched in 2019 to examine mistakes in the planning, design and construction of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) campus in Glasgow, which also houses the Royal Hospital for Children. The probe was initiated after a series of unusual infections and the deaths of four patients, prompting a broader investigation into the hospital’s environmental safety.
Data & Statistics: Patient deaths and investigation scope
Scotland’s independent public prosecution and death-investigation authority is examining seven deaths for possible links to the hospital environment. Police have submitted standard prosecution reports for four of these cases, including the death of 10-year-old Milly Main, who contracted a Stenotrophomonas infection while receiving leukaemia treatment, and the death of 73-year-old Gail Armstrong. The remaining three cases are still under information-gathering. Bradnam also noted that a £10 million MRI scanner could be at risk from premature installation before the building’s completion.
Official Statements & Responses: Health board and government position
NHSGGC said it is reviewing the evidence presented by Bradnam and reaffirmed that patient safety remains its “utmost priority.” The board announced the creation of a new working group, which includes Bradnam, to assess the raised concerns and develop recommendations. A Scottish government spokesperson expressed confidence in Lord Brodie, who is leading the independent inquiry, emphasizing that the inquiry must be free from political influence. The health board also indicated that a review of imaging facilities had been launched following Bradnam’s humidity-control complaint.
