Expert Calls for Full Risk Assessment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital

A prominent safety expert has called for a comprehensive risk assessment across the entire Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) campus in Glasgow. Andrew Poplett, who previously advised the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, stated it is "incredibly difficult" to definitively label the hospital as safe due to patient vulnerability and the building's inherent complexities.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has acknowledged past failings and admitted that some patient infections were likely linked to contaminated water systems. Despite the health board's assertion that the QEUH and Royal Hospital for Children are now safe, families and legal representatives for the public inquiry are requesting more evidence to support these claims. The inquiry, initiated in 2019 following patient deaths and high infection rates, is awaiting Lord Brodie's final report later this year.

Poplett highlighted that none of the QEUH's wards currently comply with national design standards for ventilation, with air change rates below recommended guidance. He also expressed surprise at the initial decision to accept these sub-optimal ventilation rates during construction. The expert recommended ongoing risk assessments for all wards to ensure robust protection for vulnerable individuals.

Families of patients who died at the hospital, including Gail Armstrong and Tony Dynes, have voiced concerns about transparency and the adequacy of safety measures. Seven patient deaths are under investigation by prosecutors for potential links to the hospital environment. The health board has spent £50 million on improvements and maintains that current water and air quality testing is more rigorous than in any other UK hospital.