A prominent health authority acknowledged that issues with its water system likely resulted in a fatal infection in a young cancer patient at a major hospital. Milly Main, a 10-year-old who was receiving treatment for leukemia at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, passed away after contracting a rare bacterium, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, on August 31, 2017.
Her family suspects that the infection originated from contaminated water at the hospital, leading to the contamination of a drug delivery line into her body. Despite previous denials by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) regarding the water bacteria’s role in several infections and deaths, the board now concedes, in its final statements to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, that a significant portion of additional bloodstream infections in patients from 2016 to 2018 likely stemmed from the hospital’s water system.
NHSGGC admitted a probable causal link between patient infections and the hospital environment, particularly the water system, a departure from its earlier stance following expert testimonies. The health authority’s spokesperson, as reported by the BBC, expressed support for the inquiry, while the Scottish Government refrained from commenting, deeming it inappropriate.
The revelation was hailed as a pivotal moment by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who called for an expansion of the corporate homicide investigation to include politicians allegedly involved in covering up the issue. Sarwar proposed the establishment of Milly’s Law, named after the deceased young patient, to empower an independent public advocate to investigate incidents and uncover the truth.
Sarwar criticized the handling of the situation at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. The scandal surrounding the hospital’s operations, including water safety concerns, governance lapses, and infections, prompted calls for thorough investigations and reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Dr. Sandesh Gulhane MSP, the Scottish Conservative health secretary, highlighted a history of infection-related scandals at the hospital, alleging a cover-up at the highest levels. Families of affected patients, including Milly Main and Molly Cuddihy, have faced prolonged struggles to obtain answers, signaling a culture of secrecy within the healthcare system.
NHSGGC reiterated its commitment to supporting the inquiry, while the Scottish government emphasized its dedication to facilitating the investigation to address families’ concerns and improve future hospital projects.