Children and adults being treated for cancer were "exposed to risk" due to failings in the design and running of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, an inquiry has concluded.

An independent review was ordered after the death of three patients, including a 10-year-old boy linked to the Cryptococcus 'pigeon droppings' bug and other infections associated with ventilation and water supply problems.

The mum of 10-year-old cancer patient Milly Main believes her death was caused by an infection linked to the water.

The review did not find "sound evidential basis" linking the deaths to the design, build and commissioning of the hospital including the air and water supply. It concluded that the hospital provides a "safe setting" for patients, staff and visitors and there was no evidence Cryptococcus infections were caused by the presence of pigeons at the site.

However, nine failings related to the care of vulnerable patients were identified in the inquiry, which was chaired by Dr Andrew Fraser and Dr Brian Montgomery and made 63 recommendations.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon responds to calls for FAI into death of Milly Main 

It concludes: "Undoubtedly and with hindsight, the Health Board, groups within it, and the Design and Build Contractor could have reached different decisions and produced results that would have reduced infection risk."

It found that the effectiveness of infection control was undermined by problems within the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde leadership team.

The level of independent scrutiny of the final design of the hospital "was not sufficient" and the plan did not take into account the "scale and complexity" of the project.

The health board was also criticised for failing to be open and transparent about the problems with the hospital, which was built by Multiplex. NHSGGC is pursuing legal action against the firm.

An independent review by Health Protection Scotland (HPS) into the water supply confirmed contamination of the system in 2018.s

The First Minister said today during the daily coronavirus briefing that she is determined to get answers for the family of Milly Main while Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said she was sorry for what families had had to endure.

Labour's health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said the report would make for "distressing reading" for affected families.

She added: "A lack of openness and transparency on the part of @NHSGGC is inexcusable.

"The report also expresses concern that @scotgov governance and assurance arrangements were not sufficient for the complexity of the QEUH project."

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde apologised to families affected and said "lessons would be learned."

Jane Grant, Chief Executive said:  “This has been a very difficult period for our patients, their families and our staff for which we apologise.

"We remain fully committed to applying the learning from this experience."

READ MORE: Details of £73million health board fight against hospital builder revealed 

Dr Fraser said: “While the hospital provides a safe healthcare environment for patients, staff and visitors, as the Review progressed our findings caused us to focus on those clinical places caring for children and adults with cancers including leukaemias.

“These specific groups have been exposed to risk that could have been lower if the correct design, build and commissioning had taken place.

"The series of problems and influences that we have identified through the phases of the QEUH project has disrupted treatment for defined groups of patients, meant additional workload for Infection Prevention and Control teams, many clinical groups and hospital management, and diverted resources and attention from the running of this large and complex facility."