by Bill Heaney
The Scottish Conservatives have demanded an urgent statement from Neil Gray on the eleventh-hour admission that contaminated water caused serious infections among cancer patients at the SNP’s flagship £1 billion Queen Elizabeth hospital.
Press reports at the weekend revealed that, after years of denial, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have U-turned and accepted the link in a statement to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry.
The inquiry, which will hear closing statements this week, was launched after two children died and at least 84 patients fell ill with infections at the QEUH.
Shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane, left, insists the SNP health secretary must address parliament tomorrow to reassure patients and spell out what Nationalist ministers knew and when.
Dr Gulhane said: “The public deserve clarity and accountability on this huge and growing scandal.
“SNP ministers are ultimately accountable for what went on at the Queen Elizabeth and that’s why it’s imperative that Neil Gray makes an urgent statement and faces questions in parliament tomorrow.
“After years of cover-up, denial and the undermining of whistleblowers, the eleventh-hour admission by NHS bosses of a link between the contaminated water and infections – just as the inquiry is concluding – is cynical and shameful.
“This scandal resulted in lives being lost. Grieving families deserve answers, so the health secretary must come clean on what ministers knew and when.
“What we do know is that the actions of health board bosses have come straight from the SNP playbook – secrecy, cover-up and evading accountability.
“Full transparency from all involved is essential. That’s why the Scottish Conservatives are demanding an urgent statement from Neil Gray.”
Top of page: Health Secretary Neil Gray.