JEANE Freeman has apologised to families of children being treated at Glasgow's flagship hospital, describing their situation as “completely unacceptable”.
Dozens of parents raised almost 100 issues with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport during a series of meetings this week, about their concerns with the safety of the £842m Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) and Royal Hospital for Children (RHC).
They have also questioned whether Nicola Sturgeon will be called to give evidence at the judge-led public inquiry into the flagship Glasgow site, and Edinburgh’s new Sick Kids hospital, due to her previous role as health minister during the time the projects were being planned.
It comes after The Herald on Sunday approached the minister on behalf of several families who wanted to meet her directly to discuss their concerns, after we revealed 13 children had been identified as having infections while being treated for cancer at the QEUH.
We also published details of leaked documents which highlighted concerns about possible risky ventilation across the entire site, missing or accurate build records and wards which had not been built for purpose.
Minutes of the meetings with parents, seen by this newspaper, show 92 issues raised by families covering medical care, the hospital environment, communication from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and questions about the public inquiry itself.
In a letter to parents, Freeman said: “I am very grateful to you for your honesty and the dignity which you and your family [have behaved].
“Finally I want to repeat my strong view that the situation you have found yourself in and the additional burden of worry that has caused you is completely unacceptable.”
Parents Charmaine Lacock and Annemarie Kirkpatrick said they were satisfied that parents' concerns are now being listened to and thanked the minister for agreeing to meet with them, but added that they will not be satisfied until they have proof the hospital is safe.
Ms Lacock said: “Is it a step in the right direction? Yes. Are we reassured as parents? Definitely not.
“Questions has been asked, now we have to wait for the answers.
“Hopefully these questions would be answered truthfully and supported by evidence where possible “
Ms Kirkpatrick added: “I'm happy that they are now taking the situation seriously. Jeane Freeman was absolutely horrified when she knew the extent of the issues we have been dealing with. Hopefully things will start to improve although its still going to take time for all the issues to be resolved, if they ever can be.”
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