The health secretary has placed Scotland’s largest health board in special measures after patient safety concerns at two Glasgow hospitals.

Jeane Freeman said she was taking action to restore ‘public confidence’ following infections linked to patient deaths at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children.

It means ministers believe there is a ‘significant risk’ to safety at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde and that senior external support is needed.

A government group headed by the chief nursing officer has been set up to co-ordinate existing work.

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde has faced questions after it emerged the parents of a child who died after contracting an infection linked to contaminated water were not told about the cause of death.

Earlier this week Ms Freeman said intervention in the health authority was being considered “as quickly as is possible”.

A public inquiry is already looking at construction issues at the Queen Elizabeth ‘super hospital’ and Edinburgh’s delayed Sick Kids hospital.