by Bill Heaney
The newly established Safety and Public Confidence Oversight Group met yesterday (Wednesday 11 March 2026) for the first time.
It is part of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s wider commitment to strengthen assurance and public confidence in the safety of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) and the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC).
Unfortunately, the meeting took place on the eve of breaking news that cancer patients’ health would be in danger if they were in the hospital at present or in the recent past. (See The Democrat story earlier today).
Both journalists and the public are becoming increasingly sceptical that the Secret Scotland and spin doctoring policies adopted by Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP and increasingly in the post devolution era by public authorities, such as health boards, councils and local politicians are increasing exponentially.
Observers who have have looked on in dismay have seen honesty and transparency increasingly abandoned.
The most recent example arose this week when, within 48 hours of being forced to accede to pressure for open-ness from the press and public to shed light on the dirty hospital scandal, which has attached itself to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus, the Scottish Government has been made to look both foolish and heartless in relation to how they handle their press and public relations.
On the one hand First Minister John Swinney told the Holyrood parliament that the hospital was safe and that it no longer carried the risk of infect for patients.
Health Secretary Ian Gray; First Minister John Swinney; Professor Jann Gardner and Sir Lewis Ritchie, Co-chairs Public Confidence Oversight Group .
And on the other, it has been revealed by Health Secretary Ian Gray that mould carrying the risk of infection to cancer patients is (still?) present in the hospital, which takes patients from West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute.
It was announced on Wednesday that it had been agreed that the work of the group must focus on communication with families, public and staff, as well as issues relating to ventilation, water and infection control.
It was stated that the group had agreed clear Terms of Reference and confirmed the programme structure.
Membership of the group includes a number of independent experts alongside patient and family representatives, senior clinicians, infection control and estates specialists, and NHSGGC executive and non-executive leaders.
Remarkably no journalists or members of the public have been invited to join it.
It reports to the NHSGGC Board and onwards to the Scottish Government and focuses broadly on four key areas:
- Public and family engagement and communication
- Professional relationships, staff engagement, leadership and culture
- The hospital-built environment, infection prevention and control
- Immediate issues and final recommendations arising from the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry
The group is co-chaired by Professor Sir Lewis Ritchie, as independent chair, and Professor Jann Gardner, Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Sir Lewis Ritchie said: “Public confidence in healthcare depends on trust, transparency and a willingness to listen and learn.
“This group has been established to provide robust, independent oversight of priority safety issues, to ensure that concerns are examined thoroughly, and that progress is visible and clearly communicated.
“Just as importantly, it will help ensure that the voices of patients, families and staff are heard and reflected in the work ahead.”
Alongside its oversight role, the group will support the development of clearer public information, regular updates on progress, and improved routes for engagement with families and staff.
At the first meeting, the following points were noted:
- an urgent independent environmental assessment of Ward 4B has been commissioned
- further investment is being directed toward the development of a new Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit
- the creation of an expert reference group to support the programme
These actions form part of the early programme commitments to strengthen patient safety, ensure environmental assurance, and support long term improvement planning.
A dedicated webpage will shortly launch and will be updated regularly and support the reporting of the group’s work.
Professor Gardner added: “This meeting is a significant milestone in renewing public confidence in the care we provide.
“I believe that the establishment of this group can signal a new era in patient safety and transparency.
“I know how important it is for patients, families and staff to have confidence in the care they receive from us and the environment in which it is delivered.
“While a great deal of work has already been undertaken to improve safety at the QEUH and RHC, I recognise the strength of public concern and the need for openness and continued independent scrutiny.
“This new Safety and Public Confidence Oversight Group provides an additional layer of assurance, working closely and openly with our key stakeholders, including a number of external voices, and is underpinned by a clear commitment to engagement, transparency and learning as we continue to improve.
“Yesterday we clearly marked that commitment, and I look forward to working with this group in coming weeks and months.”
“Additionally, Glasgow NHSGGC is committed to developing a business case for a new adult Bone Marrow Transplant Unit to be submitted to Scottish Government.
“Delivering a new unit will ensure it stands alongside the paediatric unit as a centre of excellence, and our specialist advisors will consider the best options during the period of transition.”
- The current views and visitors figures for The Dumbarton Democrat news and features platform average 4,500 and have fluctuated between that figure and 20,000 in recent weeks.