Health chair denies pressure

A FORMER health chief who oversaw the building of Scotland’s £1billion super-hospital has been accused of “disregarding reality”.

- BY STAFF REPORTER

Andrew Robertson, who was chair of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC), denied the opening of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in 2015 had been botched.

In his first interview since a public inquiry was launched into why so many vulnerable patients died from infections at the health campus, the former lawyer claimed governance of the QEUH had been “pretty good”.

Robertson, who stepped down from the health board in 2015, also denied political pressure was placed on NHS bosses to open the hospital before it was safe to do so.

The QEUH started accepting patients just days before the 2015 general election. Documents written by a Scottish Government official following meetings with senior health bosses in 2019 clearly stated that “political pressure had been felt” and that “no consideration was given to delaying the opening of the hospital despite the issues being faced with completion and operation”.

The paper in question was submitted to an ongoing public inquiry into the QEUH and brought to public attention last week by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who told John Swinney it was clear proof the opening was rushed.