Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has set out details of 11 technical issues with the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children involved in a £73m legal claim by the Greater Glasgow Health Board against Multiplex.
The Greater Glasgow Health Board has also named Currie & Brown, and Capita Property and Infrastructure in the £72.8m claim.
The summons sets out where the requirements of NHSGGC were not met in either design, commissioning or building stages in eleven specific areas.
The claim follows an independent review by Health Protection Scotland (HPS), which was commissioned by NHSGGC to investigate a number of probable linked cases of infection associated with the water supply at the hospital.
The 11 issues are:
- Issue 1: Water System
Issues with the water system were identified in Wards 2A and 2B at the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in March 2018. After bacteria were identified in the drains of these wards in June 2018, a continuous chlorine dioxide dosing plant was installed in RHC in December 2018 and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in March 2019. Point of use filters were also installed in all clinical areas where there are haemato-oncology patients.
- Issues 2, 3 and 4: Ventilation
Work was carried out on the adult Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit in 2017 to improve the air quality and provide HEPA filtration to all patient bedrooms and ancillary areas. Seven negative pressure rooms have been upgraded and this was complete by May 2019. The ventilation system in Ward 2A and 2B of the RHC is currently being upgraded for all haemato-oncology patients. The work will conclude in summer 2020.
- Issue 5: Plant and building service capacity
Further design investigation required.
- Issue 6 Toughened glazing
A protective canopy is being installed, and is currently under construction, to mitigate the risk of the impact of fractured glass.
- Issue 7: Doors
NHSGGC claims that the door frames are not as required in the contract and replacement and repairs are having to be carried out more often than expected. However, fire safety has not been compromised.
- Issue 8: Heating system
The energy plant continues not to achieve the required efficiency, NHSGGC claims.
- Issue 9: Atrium roof
A section of the roof that was damaged has since been replaced.
- Issue 10: Internal fabric moisture ingress
There were issues relating to the design and materials used in the construction of the en-suite bathrooms, according to NHSGGC.
- Issue 11: Pneumatic transport system
Jane Grant, chief executive of NHSGGC, said: “While we are now taking legal action on a number of design and installation issues, it is important to stress that the hospitals continue to provide safe and effective care.
“A significant amount of work has already taken place including the remedial action on the water supply and the ventilation.
“As the matters are now the subject of court proceedings, we are not in a position to comment further.”
In a statement, Multiplex said: “Multiplex is extremely disappointed that some five years after the completion of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, which was delivered on time, on budget, and fully certified before its handover, the Greater Glasgow Health Board (GGHB) has now decided to issue legal proceedings against Multiplex, its design consultants and other professional advisors.
“We are currently reviewing the terms of the claim with our advisors and will be providing a response in due course.
“Multiplex is of course treating the matters raised with utmost seriousness and will continue to work openly, proactively and transparently with GGHB on this project.”
