THE Scottish Government has confirmed that a public inquiry will be held to examine problems found at the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH).
Issues with the RHCYP’s ventilation system and other building problems has delayed the hospital’s opening until 2020 – the inquiry will seek to determine why such issues occurred and how they can be avoided in future projects.
The inquiry will also look into the death of two QUEH patients in January, after they contracted a fungal infection caused by pigeon droppings at the hospital.
Health secretary Jeane Freeman said, “The safety and well-being of all patients and their families is my top priority and should be the primary consideration in all NHS construction projects.
“I want to make sure this is the case for all future projects, which is why, following calls from affected parents, I am announcing a public inquiry to examine the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital sites.
“The recent KPMG and NSS reports into the new Edinburgh Children’s Hospital will provide a significant amount of the underpinning evidence for the inquiry alongside the ongoing independent review into the delivery and maintenance of the QEUH.
“The current situation is not one anyone would choose – but it is one I am determined to resolve.”
