Killer bugs, sewage leaks and ‘Grenfell’ cladding
THE Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) has been plagued by delays, defects and deadly infections.
The Crown Office is now investigating the treatment of three-year-old Mason Djemat, who died at the superhospital in Glasgow.
Since it opened in 2015, the QEUH has been beset by problems – including leaking sewage, ventilation issues, falling windows and a contaminated water supply.
Health Secretary Jeane
Freeman has been criticised over the catalogue of failures. A sewage leak meant brain surgeries had to be cancelled, blood and faeces were found on trolleys and mattresses during an inspection, and glass panes fell from the building on three occasions.
In August 2017, Mason and ten-yearold Milly Main died at the hospital. Milly contracted an infection linked to water contamination – which came to light last year only as a result of a leaked report.
Mason fell victim to seven hospital failures on the evening he died, and his mother is still fighting for answers.
Cladding similar to that used at Grenfell Tower has had to be removed from the building, at a cost of £6 million to the taxpayer.
A whistleblower also revealed that in 2017, up to 26 cases of infections were linked to the water supply in children’s cancer wards.
Between January and September 2018, 23 children contracted bloodstream infections in the cancer ward – with 22 child cancer patients moved due to the water supply problems.
The building’s ventilation system was responsible for allowing infection to travel.