Clean up mess
Bid to get answers to fatal outbreaks
THE Queen Elizabeth was meant to be a model of how major hospitals should operate in the 21st century.
The flagship Glasgow facility should be a textbook example of a safe, clean environment, with cutting-edge measures for limiting the risk and spread of infection.
Instead, the hospital is at the centre of a scandal that has raised questions about the measures in place across the NHS.
So it is very welcome news that Holyrood’s health committee is to hold a wide-ranging inquiry into the health care environment in Scotland.
The families of victims of hospital infections will understandably have many questions – but so too will all members of the public.
It’s vital we find out what exactly happened and why, and learn lessons about how to stop it happening again.
INFECTION controls at hospitals are to be put under the microscope by MSPs after the NHS was hit by a spate of fatal outbreaks.
Holyrood’s health committee will take evidence from NHS staff and patients following a cluster of deaths centred around Glasgow.
The Scottish Government has already announced an independent review into the death of two patients who got an infection linked to pigeon droppings at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
The committee’s probe will focus on wider issues linked to the healthcare environment.
Committee convener Lewis Macdonald said they would look at what risks exist and how these should be reported and addressed.
The Labour MSP added: “Like everyone across Scotland, I was deeply troubled by the nature of the deaths at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
“There are ongoing investigations into what happened but this raises wider issues about the safety and control of healthcare environments.
“The committee is determined to understand how standards are upheld and consider existing protocols.
“We are also going to look at the adequacy of systems and processes for reporting and controlling outbreaks. This is why we want to hear from healthcare professionals.”
The committee wants to hear from staff and patients and will hold an evidence session next month. Questions include:
● What is the scale of problems acquired from the healthcare environment in Scotland?
● What/where are the main risks?
● Are the current systems and processes adequate for monitoring, reporting, eliminating or controlling these hazards?
Last week, we revealed a fifth patient had died from hospital-acquired infection since December following an outbreak at the Royal Alexandra in Paisley.