John Swinney today denied that the SNP government put pressure on health board bosses to open the scandal-hit Queen Elizabeth University Hospital before it was ready – but wouldn’t say who did.
At First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay asked his SNP counterpart about the “bombshell” statement from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry.
QEUH opened 10 days before the 2015 general election, despite concerns having been raised about its water supply.
At least four patients – including child cancer sufferers – later died from infections acquired at the hospital. After years of denial, NHSGGC admitted this week that it was likely the deaths were linked to contaminated water.
The health board also told the public inquiry: “Pressure was applied to open the hospital on time and on budget, and it is now clear that the hospital opened too early. It was not ready.”
After denying ministers applied that pressure, John Swinney refused to say who did. He also ducked Russell Findlay’s question on whether he would sack the health board chiefs who presided over the scandal.
The Scottish Conservative leader accused the SNP government of presiding over a culture of “arrogance, secrecy and cover-up” which “treated grieving families with contempt”.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “For years, the families at the heart of this scandal have been shamefully lied to and smeared. They now quite rightly expect accountability.
“Nicola Sturgeon was First Minister when the hospital began treating patients on 27 April 2015 – just 10 days before a general election. During the SNP election campaign, she kept bragging about the new hospital.
“John Swinney denied point blank that Nicola Sturgeon or anyone else in the SNP government applied political pressure to open the hospital before it was ready.
“Well, if it wasn’t any SNP minister then who did apply this pressure – and why? John Swinney won’t say.
“This is one of many serious scandals involving Scotland’s public bodies in recent years.
“This SNP government presides over a cynical culture defined by arrogance, secrecy and cover-up.
“A culture of zero accountability that misuses taxpayers’ money to crush victims and silence concerns – and which treats grieving families with contempt.
“The families of the hospital infection scandal are not going away – this is not over.
“They say that the hospital is still unsafe for patients, and that the management ‘cannot be trusted to make it safe’.
“Despite this, John Swinney still refuses to say whether he will sack the health board bosses who orchestrated this appalling cover-up.”