Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton cites the public interest around this hospital and the high profile scrutiny it has received.

Mr Cole-Hamilton says an internal clinician led review has taken place that even the cabinet secretary was not aware of.

"Does she now understand why the information gathered by this review was subsequently withheld?"

Ms Freeman replies: "I don't understand that."

The health secretary explains the clinician led review was not advised to government by the board.

She explains the government is now looking at that review conducted in 2017 and if it is unhappy or dissatisfied with any of that it will take the action required.

The minister also hopes to speak to the clinicians about any obstacles they faced in carrying out the review.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says lessons will not be learned if staff do not feel confidence that issues they raise will be dealt with.

What steps are being taken to improve the culture of openness within the NHS she asks.

The health secretary agrees staff must feel confidence and safe to raise issues and she points to ongoing engagement with those who work on the wards at QEUH.

She goes on to highlight other steps being taken to promote whistleblowing, including:

• the creation of the independent National Whistleblowing Officer, supported by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
• appointing whistleblowing champions by the end of the year
• the short-life working group looking at steps which need to be taken

Scottish Labour health spokesperson Monica Lennon begins saying heartbroken parents still need answers and the truth must come out.

"Milly Main's mum deserves the truth about her daughter's death, as does Victoria Freeman whose son Mason also died unexpectedly at the hospital in 2017."

Many other families do fear a cover up, adds Ms Lennon, saying this statement is underwhelming, with a passing mention of escalation being weak.

She asks the cabinet secretary if she has complete confidence in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

"Where is the empathy and compassion for these families?"

Image source, bbc

The health secretary replies: "I think they should place their trust in me because I am compassionate and I do have empathy and that's precisely why I met those families and have undertaken the work I have done."

Ms Freeman refutes that she is careless or irresponsible on these matters.

Families do deserve answers and that is why I met them and appointed Professor White, she insists.

The health secretary explains he provided detailed answers to 71 questions from the family.

My reference to escalation is not weak she insists.

"I will not be rushed into wrong decisions simply to satisfy members of this chamber."

Tory MSP Miles Briggs says this statement will do little to answer the questions of families.

"They believe there has been a cover up and we need to get answers."

Have all families been contacted and provided the duty of care they need, he asks.

Mr Briggs also asks about the guidance and protocols put in place after infections were discovered and what sight ministers had of this.

Ms Freeman says all families in contact with herself or Prof White have been contacted, while the chair and chief executive of the board have written to all families whose children have been treated, to offer a meeting.

Regarding water infection work, the health secretary says the board undertook a number of mitigation measures to find the source and prevent the spread of infection.

The health board decided that surveillance between January and September 2018 did not provide confidence that the source was found, which is why the ward was closed she explains.

During this time, work was taken to upgrade the wards she adds.

Ms Freeman says this statement was not designed to answer the specific questions of families because they will all have different questions.

The minister refers to the statutory public inquiry into these issues and she says she hopes to confirm the chair by the end of the year.

In the meantime the independent review is continuing, she says.

The minister says she is acutely aware that the families of children receiving care need complete confidence.

Ms Freeman says the chair and chief executive of the health board has written to all families in contact with the services.

Regarding the ongoing safety of the environment, Health Protection Scotland has confirmed it is content with the investigation of cases, actions taken and arrangements in place for ongoing monitoring of infections she says.

Managed Service Network for Children and Young People with Cancer have been invited to join the group monitoring infections, Ms Freeman adds.

Image source, bbc

Ms Freeman expects all NHS boards to ensure communications are centred on the needs of the patient and the family.

The health secretary says patients and families must genuinely be involved.

She says despite the correct mitigation measures being taken on the wards at the Royal Hospital for Children on the QEUH campus, the wards were closed for further work.

The minister explains she met with concerned families last month and the communication from the board to these families had simply not been good enough.

She says that is why she appointed Professor Craig White to ensure the questions they had were clearly answered.

Ms Freeman says she takes concerns raised by a whistleblower seriously and there is no room in our health service for anyone to criticise whistleblowers publicly or otherwise.

When things go wrong I expect boards to respond professionally, transparently and speedily the health secretary states.

She says a whistleblower came forward last week to highlight concerns relating to infections affecting pediatric cancer patients.

My officials are urgently seeking details of this review, she adds.

I understand contact has been made with the family and the health board will support them and answer their questions, she says.

Ms Freeman says it would be inappropriate for her to comment on any further cases currently subject to investigations by the Crown.

Image source, KIMBERLY DARROCH

An independent review examining water contamination and other problems at Glasgow's largest hospital will be published in the spring.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman faced questions from MSPs after details emerged of the deaths of two children.

Both were treated in a ward at a Glasgow hospital which was later closed because of water supply problems.

The health board has apologised for the distress caused to parents who have complained of a lack of information.

The deaths have also put Ms Freeman under pressure but on the campaign trail First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the health secretary has her support.

Ms Freeman is due to make a statement to the Scottish Parliament about the Glasgow hospital on Wednesday.

• Police investigate three-year-old's hospital death

• Health Secretary refuses to rule out 'special measures' option
• 'I was let down and lied to over Milly's death'
• Read more here

Image source, bbc

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman begins by expressing her deepest sympathy to the families affected by the issues at the QEUH's children's wards.

"I cannot begin to imagine the pain of losing a child in these circumstances."

"I also want to apologise to them that they feel they have not had their questions answered."

Image source, Getty Images

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman will now deliver a statement on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital ward closure.

The health secretary is facing calls to put the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) in "special measures".

It follows speculation about the deaths of two children treated on a ward affected by water contamination at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

The health board has apologised for the distress caused to parents.

• NHS board 'sorry' over handling of child deaths
• Health secretary refuses to rule out 'special measures'

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says the Scottish government failed to meet the bare minimum expectation of the international community over the age of criminal responsibility.

The UN told Scotland to get to 14 years old as quickly as possible, points out Mr Cole-Hamilton.

He warns that to incorporate UNCRC properly this must be done.

Mr Swinney does not accept that analysis, saying the government brought many stakeholders with it in its change to 12 years old.

Green MSP John Finnie welcomes the statement, before asking whether any consideration has been given to securing a section 30 order to ensure the fullest incorporation of the CRC possible.

A section 30 order allows the Scottish Parliament to legislate in areas normally reserved.

That is an option that could be taken forward, replies Mr Swinney.

We will take steps to legislate within the current devolved areas to improve children's rights as soon as possible, with a mechanism built in to ensure we can respond as the parliament's powers change in the future he explains.

Iain Gray welcomes the government's desire for a gold standard in children's rights and the full incorporation of the Convention into Scots law.

The Scottish Labour education spokesperson asks why this important legislation was used to make a narrow political point that we are on the road to independence, which he does not agree is happening.

How will children's rights be enforceable in the courts, he also asks.

Image source, bbc

Mr Swinney explains his reference to Scotland's journey to independence was to reflect what he thinks is a reality.

The education secretary says it was also to indicate a mechanism to ensure Scots law remains compatible with UNCRC as Scotland gains more powers.

The education secretary says he expects local authorities will ensure compatibility with the UNCRC.

Tory MSP Alison Harris says the Scottish Conservatives have in the past expressed reservations about the incorporation of the CRC into Scots law.

She asks about research to ensure it will be fully compatible with other legislation in this parliament.

Mr Swinney says the plan is to provide the highest level of protection for children in our society.

If that requires parliament to amend existing legislation in Scotland, that is precisely what parliament has to do he tells the chamber.

Mr Swinney says this represents a huge step forward for the protection of children's rights.

Every public body will have to protect children's rights, adds the education secretary, who points out if they don't children can resort to legal action in the courts.

The minister tells the chamber that today he is publishing an annual update of the Progressing the Human Rights of Children in Scotland: An Action Plan 2018 - 2021., external

"Children and young people are our future," says Mr Swinney.

Mr Swinney says he has today published the consultation responses on how best to incorporate the UNCRC into Scots law, external.

It is evidence there is support for directly incorporate it as closely as possible, rather than pursuing a Scottish suite of children's rights, he says.

We will use the language of the Convention as far as possible he adds.

Mr Swinney warns not everything can be incorporated by this parliament as the CRC covers some reserved areas, though the vast majority can.

Education Secretary John Swinney says the UNCRC is truly world leading and he is proud to be part of a country that is going to further.

Mr Swinney says the fact that children's lives and rights are impacted by war and famine around the world in the 21st century is truly shameful.

With this parliament's agreement the Scottish government will incorporate the UNCRC into Scots law by the end of this parliamentary session.