Chamber and committees

The Independent Review of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is being co-chaired by Dr Andrew Fraser, Director of Public Health Science, NHS Health Scotland and Dr Brian Montgomery, former Medical Director and former interim Chief Executive of NHS Fife. Since their appointment, in order to inform their approach to the Review, the co-chairs have reviewed documentation and consulted other individuals involved in statutory inquiries or independent reviews, including Professor Alison Britton.

Since I last updated Parliament, the period for public feedback on the Independent Review’s Terms of Reference has concluded. At a public meeting in Glasgow on 27 June 2019, the co-chairs of the Independent Review made a formal call for submissions of evidence. They also launched the Review’s website, social media presence and contact details.

The co-chairs are now assessing a significant amount of evidence received and this autumn they will proceed to interview key stakeholders and take statements. The Review team continues to engage with a wide range of key individuals and organisations.

The Independent Review has recently announced the appointment of two expert advisors on infection prevention and control: Linda Dempster, Head of Infection Prevention and Control at NHS Improvement and NHS England; and Dr David Jenkins, a consultant in medical microbiology and director of Healthcare Infection Prevention Ltd., with extensive experience at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. These expert advisors join Professor Billy Hare, expert on construction design and Deputy Director of the BEAM Research Centre at Glasgow Caledonian University, who was appointed to the Review team in June 2019.

As the Independent Review progresses, regular updates will continue to be provided by the co-chairs and where significant findings emerge these will be reported and acted on promptly. The Review also provides regular progress updates via its newsletter and website.