A tragic story of a young life cut short and a scandal that has shocked Scotland. This is the tale of Molly Cuddihy, a brave teenager who fought a rare bone cancer, only to be further weakened by a preventable hospital infection.
Molly's journey began at 15, studying for her exams when she was diagnosed with cancer. She received treatment at the Royal Hospital for Children and the adjacent Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), both now at the center of a six-year public inquiry.
Her father, John, described the clinical care as 'world-class', but the environment was far from safe. Molly suffered 'frightening' fits and rigors due to a bacterial infection contracted at QEUH during chemotherapy.
But here's where it gets controversial...
After years of denial, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde finally admitted that serious infections in 84 child cancer patients, including Molly, were likely caused by a contaminated water system at their flagship hospital. This admission came too late for Molly, who passed away last August, her organs weakened by powerful infection-fighting drugs and cancer treatment.
The delay in acknowledging the issue caused 'avoidable distress and harm' to families, according to John. He added, "The fact that Molly never got to hear those words is even more painful."
As the public inquiry progressed, families' shock turned to fury. They felt "lied to, disbelieved, demeaned, and smeared" by the health board. Some were the first parents to speak out about inadequate answers when they asked why their children were given bottled water or why their specialist ward was suddenly closed.
And this is the part most people miss...
The health board admitted that the building was not ready to open in 2015, just before the general election, and that 'pressure was applied' to open on time and budget, despite tests highlighting microbial issues in the water supply. They also acknowledged they lacked adequate staffing for the new campus.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called it "the biggest scandal in the Scottish Parliament's history." He suggested the cover-up went to the top, calling for criminal investigations into responsible ministers, including Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney.
With the inquiry's final report due this year, other proceedings continue. NHSGCC faces a corporate homicide investigation over the deaths of four people at the hospital campus, including Milly Main, a 10-year-old who died after contracting an infection while recovering from leukemia treatment.
At a heated First Minister's Questions, Sarwar demanded to know who applied the pressure to open the children's hospital despite infection risks. Swinney responded that the Scottish Government was unaware until 2018 and committed to releasing further cabinet minutes.
NHSGCC's lawyer offered an 'unreserved apology' on behalf of the health board, but John Cuddihy questioned the sincerity of these words without tangible outcomes. He wants the Scottish Government to ensure such tragedies never happen again.
"Molly wanted them to recognize what had happened because that enables meaningful change," John said.
A powerful reminder of the importance of accountability and the impact of institutional failures on vulnerable lives.
