Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 4 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it ever ordered that any senior managers at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde be dismissed as a result of issues surrounding the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, including the safety of the water system.
The Scottish Ministers have no employment functions under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, those being a function of the relevant Health Board. Executives and senior managers within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are employees of the health board in which they work and all matters relating to their employment are for the Board and for the Chair.
On 22 November 2019, Scottish Government escalated NHSGGC to level 4 of the framework in light of the ongoing issues. In a letter from Malcolm Wright, then Director General for Health and Social Care explained “In light of the on-going issues around the systems, processes and governance in relation to infection prevention, management and control at the QEUH and RHC and the associated communication and public engagement issues, I have concluded that further action is necessary to support the Board to ensure appropriate governance is in place to increase public confidence in these matters and therefore that for this specific issue the Board will be escalated to Stage 4 of our performance framework.
The Member will be aware that this matter relates to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, established by the Scottish Government so that families and patients impacted by issues at the QEUH can get answers to their questions. It is right that the inquiry’s independent chair Lord Brodie be given the time and space to consider all of the evidence and get to the truth for families.