By Bill Heaney
Health Board chief executive Jane Grant, pictured right, has retired in the midst of a public inquiry and widely publicised controversy about the handling of the ongoing crisis at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Children’s Hospital.
Her departure has come before Mrs Grant has been called to give evidence in person at the judge-led Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which is taking place in Edinburgh before Lord Brodie.
The inquiry is into alleged links between patient deaths and fatal infections which are said to have been associated to defects in the construction of the superhospital campus which has West Dunbartonshire within its catchment area.
The defects are said to have included a contaminated water supply, cracks in the structure and broken windows through which feral pigeons entered the hospital and left behind mounds of droppings.
The Sunday Mail reported at the weekend that Mrs Grant has now been accused of trying to manipulate an inquiry report into links between patient deaths and the building of the flagship hospital.
The allegations against the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde chief executive have prompted calls for investigation by Scottish Labour.
Child cancer expert professor Mike Stevens accused her of “trying to turn the screw on me” when he was investigating a spate of infections at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
He said Mrs Grant attempted to persuade him to change the findings of his report, which was looking at whether there was any link between 118 infections in patients and the hospital environment.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie, left, Scottish Labour’s deputy leader and spokesperson on health matters, said the revelations were “deeply worrying” .
Dame Jackie said: “Every new testimony about QEUH only underlines a disturbing culture of secrecy that only served to put patients at risk.
“Throughout the QEUH scandal the Health Board’s leadership has attempted to frustrate the process, deny transparency and answers to families and also attempted to silence and bully NHS whistleblowers and mislead the public.
“Professor Stevens was commissioned to lead a review precisely because of his independence, so any suggestion that he was pressured to change his report is deeply worrying.
“The SNP government needs to investigate his allegations and hold responsible those who have overseen this scandal.”
Jackie Baillie called for the resignation of Jane Grant and the Health Board chairperson John Brown on a number of occasions. Mr Brown has now departed the board and been replaced by Dr Lesley Thomson KC.
Professor Stevens said he had received a letter from Mrs Grant in March 2021 after he finished his review of 118 cases of infection.
The review concluded that some of the infections were probably caused by bugs linked to the hospital environment which the health board had previously denied.
Asked what he did with the letter Professor Stevens, pictured right, said: “I didn’t really do anything with it. I just felt rather cross… There was no necessity to write this letter.
“It made me feel that this was a further nudge to us to move our final written report in the direction they wished it to go.
“I could be challenged on this [but] it made me feel ‘Here is someone who is trying to turn the screw on me’.”
Asked who he was referring to, he said: “ Jane Grant.”
The professor said: “To get a letter 24 hours after we had a meeting with a high cast of health board management reiterating points, re-emphasising points and trying to illustrate the points about the behaviour of microbiologists…
“I could only think of one reason for doing it, which was to encourage us to think differently.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokeswoman said: “NHSGGC will continue to support the Inquiry to fully establish the facts. Our staff have contributed extensively to the Inquiry and will continue to do so if called.”
Meanwhile, into the chief executive hot seat at the Health Board headquarters on the Gartnavel hospital campus at Anniesland in the New Year goes Jann Gardner, a clinical pharmacist who has worked previously in both NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
She worked through progressively senior roles in her professional field.
Jann then progressed through a number of wider hospital and healthcare management roles, including Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer in NHS Fife before being appointed as a Chief Executive, initially with NHS Golden Jubilee and then, in December 2022, with NHS Lanarkshire.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray, said: “I welcome the appointment of Professor Jann Gardner as Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
“She is an experienced leader within Scotland’s health service, and I am confident she will make a positive impact in her new role, helping the board to deliver positive outcomes and high quality treatment and care for the people of Greater Glasgow and Clyde.”
Dr Lesley Thomson KC, pictured right, chair of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “I am delighted that Professor Jann Gardner will be our new Chief Executive.
“Jann has vast experience and expertise in healthcare management, and a proven track record in working in collaboration to deliver innovation and new ways of working within two health boards.
“As we look to the future, Jann has the vision, skills and experience to lead the organisation to deliver the best possible health and care for our patients.”
Professor Jann Gardner said: “I am delighted to be appointed Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde at what is a truly exciting time in the NHS as we work to reform health and social care services.
“As someone with a clinical background, it is a privilege to be joining an organisation with such an outstanding reputation for clinical excellence.
“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has so much capability within its fantastic staff and services, who work to deliver the best of care to its diverse population.
“I am excited to work with them and our partners to find new solutions and opportunities to tackle the significant population health challenges we face.
“I look forward to bringing all my experience and passion for innovation, technology, partnership working and clinical excellence to the Health Board as we work together to improve the experience for our patients and staff.”
Jann will take up post with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on 1 February 2025.