Chair of inquiry into Edinburgh's Sick Kids hospital appeals for anyone with information to come forward

The judge chairing the public inquiry into the construction of Edinburgh’s new Sick Kids hospital has urged anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Lord Brodie launched the inquiry in AugustLord Brodie launched the inquiry in August
Lord Brodie launched the inquiry in August

Lord Brodie, who is also looking at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus (QEUH) in Glasgow, said the inquiry team had already met with representatives of affected patients and families.

In a video appeal, he said considerable progress had been made since the launch of the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry in August, including the recruitment of researchers, document managers, solicitors and counsel. And he said his priority was “further engagement with families and those who have been affected, to listen to what they have to say”.

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And he said: "Whoever you are, if you think you have any information that may assist the inquiry, please get in touch.”

The new Sick Kids hospital should have opened in July last year, but a last-minute inspection found the ventilation system in critical care did not meet national standards and the move was called off. Meanwhile, a number of patients at the Glasgow hospital died from infections that have been linked to water contamination.

The Inquiry will investigate ventilation, water contamination and other matters and will make recommendations to prevent past mistakes being repeated in future NHS infrastructure projects.

Lord Brodie said: “We have reached out to a wide range of those who are interested in the work of the inquiry and met with a number of those including representatives of patients and their families at both hospitals, and gained very helpful insights from these conversations.

“We have begun to gather and familiarise ourselves with relevant documentation. Together, these insights and documentation have informed the process of identifying the specific lines of investigation which the Inquiry will pursue.”

“As the year draws to a close, I am pleased with the progress made so far. The Inquiries Act 2005 requires an Inquiry to be set up from scratch meaning lots of groundwork must be done in the first instance.

“We have been doing this while contending with the changing circumstances and restrictions arising from Covid-19. Despite this, we have recruited a strong team to further engage with families and affected parties, building on the work of the past few months.

The inquiry’s details are on its website: www.hospitalsinquiry.scot.

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