Scotland’s largest health board is to take legal action against a contractor behind a £842m super-hospital where children have died from suspected infections.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is launching a case against Brookfield Multiplex, the BBC has been reported.

The firm was responsible for the design and construction of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) complex in Glasgow.

There have been a number of problems at the complex since it opened in 2015.

After a meeting of the NHS board this morning, the BBC reported lawyers had been instructed to raise court proceedings against the contractor "as a matter of urgency".

READ MORE: Health board boss blames predecessors as another child dies at QEUH

It followed the tabling of a late paper to the board on the issue.

Last month, the Scottish Government placed NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in "special measures" over its handling of infection prevention and management at the hospitals.

It came after news of the death of two children at the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC), which is part of the south Glasgow complex.

The death of 10-year-old Milly Main in August 2017 after she had beaten cancer was linked to an infection caused by contaminated water at the site.

A second child, three-year-old Mason Djemat, died the same month on the same ward.

READ MORE: Action should have been taken 'before' patients moved into Glasgow's crisis hit hospital

Whistleblower leaks then revealed the board had been warned that several parts of the water system at the hospital were “high risk” just before the site opened.

Official reports found many of the problems lay uncorrected for years, and that more infection problems arose on two cancer wards in 2017 and 2018.

The Herald revealed another child died last month after contracting an infection while being treated at the QEUH, and Health Protection Scotland are now investigating.

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde's chief exec Jane Grant said: "Patients, families and staff deserve the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children to be a safe and welcoming environment where the highest standard of person centred care will be delivered. 

"However, since its opening, a number of issues have arisen around the operational effectiveness of the hospital which have impacted on the seamless delivery of safe and effective healthcare.  I am sorry for the distress this has caused.

“I am fully committed to resolving these issues and alongside the rest of the NHS Board, will address these in a fully transparent and open manner.

“Having sought independent legal advice, we can confirm the Board today has agreed to pursue legal action. In light of this, the report we commissioned on facilities and environmental impact cannot be published as this would potentially cause significant prejudice to NHSGGC.

"We will however publish the report when it is possible, but at the moment we are unable to comment any further on legal proceedings.”  

Brookfield Multiplex's representatives have been approached for comment.