The medical director of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Dr Jennifer Armstrong, spoke at the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry on Thursday, where she criticised the behaviour of whistleblowers who raised concerns about issues at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow. The inquiry, investigating construction issues at the hospital following deaths linked to infections, heard Dr Armstrong’s concerns.
She stood by comments in a paper submitted by GGC to the inquiry, which highlighted alleged misconduct by staff who raised issues about the hospital’s ventilation and water systems. Dr Armstrong mentioned that actions by whistleblowers “undermined the efforts taken to manage infection control and protect patient safety and welfare.” The inquiry also heard about Dr Heather Inkster and Dr Christine Peters, who were at the centre of the allegations.
Senior counsel to the inquiry, Fred Mackintosh KC, questioned why no action was taken when serious allegations were raised. Dr Armstrong explained that a graded process was followed to address such behaviour, aiming to change it over time. She highlighted concerns about the focus of the hospital Incident Management Team (IMT) chaired by Dr Inkster, suggesting a lack of emphasis on patient care.
The inquiry also delved into issues discovered with wards for bone marrow transplant patients in 2015, prompting discussions on responsibilities regarding the hospital’s construction. Dr Armstrong admitted that the hospital was not as expected and mentioned the enormous stress patients endured due to the issues. She acknowledged that building the hospital in conformity with guidelines could have prevented many problems.
The hearing continues as Dr Armstrong and other witnesses provide insights into the challenges faced at the QEUH. Stay updated for further developments on this ongoing inquiry.