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I was shocked to go back and read these reports from the inquiry into bacterial infections in the Queen Elisabeth University Hospital.

In the Daily Mail:

A water safety expert said he was ‘shocked’ to learn Scotland’s super-hospital has been built near a sewage plant. An inquiry into the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow heard that a microbiologist brought in following a spate of infections said its location next to wastewater treatment works was a risk to vulnerable patients.

Dr Tom Makin runs the Makin and Makin Consultancy which provides water quality advice to companies and healthcare facilities. Yesterday, he told the inquiry that the proximity of the sewage works ‘is still a risk today’ and tests should be carried out to see if airborne particles are getting into the hospital.

Dr Makin made his comments during evidence to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry yesterday. He was contacted by NHS staff in Glasgow in April 2018 and asked to provide advice after contamination was found in the hospital water supply. Dr Makin said: ‘I first saw the hospital and its water system on 10th May 2018. I do recall approaching it for the first time and discovering that it had been built next to a sewage treatment facility. I was shocked by this

‘I was very puzzled as to why it had been allowed given that the hospital contained very immunocompromised patients.  I was concerned regarding the possible implications for the hospital and its patients arising from potential increased transmission of microorganisms from the sewage treatment facility. 

Airborne transmission of microorganisms from sewage treatment works is well documented.

‘You are dealing with faecal material and there’s agitation in the process to break down the sewage which generates aerosols that can move fair distances.

‘To actually have a hospital that contained highly immunocompromised patients so close seemed an unacceptable risk. I was surprised.’ https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-13785229/Expert-shocked-learn-Scotlands-flagship-hospital-built-close-sewage-works.html

In their 1 500 word report, BBC Scotland, however, mention none of the above and ‘sewage’ appears only once, with:

While the health board now accepts there were issues with the water system, it says the impact of ventilation failings on patient safety remains subject to debate. It claims evidence presented to the inquiry supports its view that proximity to the Shieldhall sewage works may have led to unpleasant smells but did not harm patients. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3dm08x0780o

Help Talking-up Scotland keep going

Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going

Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421