Partial Closure of Ward at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
A ward at Glasgow's flagship hospital has been partially closed following a new infection risk alert.
Several rooms on the adult bone marrow unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) have been sealed off, and additional infection control measures have been implemented.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) declined to confirm a report that the alert was triggered by the discovery of "mould and dirty water ingress."
The hospital campus has been the subject of a public inquiry investigating whether environmental issues, including problems with water and ventilation systems, contributed to infections and patient deaths.
Focus on Ward 4B Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
The latest concerns involve Ward 4B, a 24-bed bone marrow transplant unit for adult patients, which provides a national service for certain procedures.
NHSGGC stated that additional appropriate infection control measures have been taken to mitigate any potential risks to patients. However, the board did not disclose how many patients have been affected.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who previously described failures at QEUH as "the biggest scandal in the history of the Scottish Parliament," expressed that he was "deeply concerned" by the recent development.
Background of Ongoing Controversy and Inquiry
The QEUH, which opened in 2015, has been at the centre of ongoing controversy regarding claims that bacterial and fungal infections were linked to the hospital environment, particularly the water and ventilation systems.
These concerns led to a public inquiry announced in 2019, which has been collecting evidence and is currently reviewing its findings.
In a closing submission earlier this year, the health board for the first time acknowledged that some infections in a child cancer unit were, on the balance of probabilities, linked to defects in the water supply system.
Last month, the health board affirmed that its flagship campus was now safe, following letters from families to the First Minister expressing ongoing concerns.
Additionally, Health Secretary Neil Gray announced the establishment of a new independent oversight group aimed at enhancing public confidence in the safety of the QEUH.
NHSGGC Statement on Safety Measures
A spokesperson for NHSGGC said:
"Safety is actively managed every day and we continue to monitor performance including the use of approved equipment to ensure wards remain safe for our patients.
This includes thorough testing of the water and ventilation to provide additional safety assurance, particularly for our vulnerable patients.
A number of rooms on ward 4B are closed at the moment and are being managed in line with agreed recognised processes."
The spokesperson added that this approach is standard and involves experts, including Infection Control.
The statement concluded:
"These rooms do not have patients in them and actions have been implemented including sealing the rooms off as a precaution, with additional appropriate infection control measures taken to mitigate any potential risks to patients.
We are in communication with patients to ensure they are fully kept up to date."
Investigation of Seven Hospital Deaths
Separate from the public inquiry, Scotland's independent prosecution and deaths investigation service is examining seven deaths for potential links to the hospital environment at the QEUH campus.
The case of Molly Cuddihy, who died last August, has been referred to specialist hospital teams within the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), which is also investigating the deaths of Andrew Slorance and Tony Dynes.
In four earlier cases, including that of Milly Main, aged 10, a police report has been submitted, and COPFS is considering whether to initiate corporate homicide prosecutions.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
Sarwar emphasized the necessity for openness regarding the hospital situation.
"We can't put politics before patient safety.
So we need as much transparency as possible.
We need an openness from government and the health board, rather than relying upon journalists doing independent investigations to try and find the truth."
He also called for holding the leadership of NHSGGC accountable and challenged SNP ministers to take responsibility instead of deflecting blame.
The Scottish government has been requested to comment on the matter.
