‘More infections in the Queenie! Get a reporter down there quick! I want that story by 12!’

On Reporting Scotland at 1.30pm today, they return gleefully to their top story of 2019 – ‘SNP-built hospital killing our weans. Heads must roll!’

BBC 1 had thousands dying from coronavirus but, not to be outdone, RS had:

‘NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that it’s investigating a further infection incident at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Papers presented to the Board today show an increase in bacterial infections detected among children who’ve been treated at the paediatric intensive care unit. Health Protection Scotland are reviewing the cases. The hospital has been under increased scrutiny because of the number of unusual infection outbreaks with possible links to the building.’

We know, thanks to an SNP decision to prevent outsourcing of hospital cleaning, more than 10 years ago, that infections such as this year’s Norovirus outbreak which closed wards across England, have not appeared in Scotland’s cleaner hospitals. The infection cases in Glasgow hospitals last year were sufficiently rare as to be statistically insignificant and it remains unclear whether they were acquired in the wards or brought in there from outside the hospital, by the patients, already infected.

With Particular regard to the claim made above by RS about the number of infection outbreaks, it’s worth noting:

Dr Scott Davidson, Deputy Medical Director, Acute, provided a presentation to members which provided an overview of infection prevention and control governance and accountability framework within NHSGGC, the role of the Incident Management Teams (IMTs), the 2018/2019 incident and actions undertaken….In conclusion, Dr Davidson advised that NHSGGC was fully aware of the issues identified. He confirmed that there had been no single source of infection identified, infection rates remained within expected levels, and that there were robust monitoring processes in place to prevent and control infection.

Click to access item-17b-acf-m-19_06-final.pdf

However, as for the further infection outbreak, I’ve gone through all the papers presented and can find no sign of any new outbreak. The website has no coverage of the story. The board papers are at:

https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/about-us/nhsggc-board/board-meetings-papers-reports/papers/2020/

If any reader is in the mood, please have a look and see if there is anything there justifying the claim.