Health secretary Jeane Freeman will appear before MSPs tomorrow to answer questions over two crisis-hit hospitals.

Holyrood’s health and sport Committee will quiz her on the progress of an investigation into incidents at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow and Edinburgh’s delayed Sick Kid’s hospital.

Ms Freeman ordered a public inquiry into safety concerns at both hospitals in September, following pressure from opposition parties and affected patients.

At the QEUH, the issues include the deaths of two patients after contracting a fungal infection caused by pigeon dropping and the closure last year of two cancer wards at the children’s hospital because of problems with the water supply.

Further concerns over the possibility of deaths being linked to water contamination have been raised in recent days.

The opening of Edinburgh new Royal Hospital Hospital for Sick Children & Young People was called off in July after last minute checks picked up defects within air conditioning units.

In September it was announced it would not be opening for at least another year.

Freeman will appear before the health and sport committee as part of its short inquiry into health hazards in healthcare facilities.

Speaking ahead of the session, Lewis Macdonald, convener of the health and sport committee, said the issues at both hospitals were of “deep concern”.

“We want to ensure that the public inquiry into the various issues these health facilities have faced is progressing.

“We also want to know what progress has been made in creating a new national body to oversee NHS building projects in future and that the issues regarding the disposal of clinical waste are being addressed.

“It is absolutely vital that patients in Scotland have faith that all healthcare facilities in Scotland meet the most robust standards of safety and cleanliness and pose no threat to their health.”

The committee will also take evidence tomorrow from members of the public as part of its inquiry into the future of primary care.