Fife Council’s health spokesman has said he is outraged that vulnerable people may have been put at risk when hospital patients were discharged to care homes after testing positive for covid-19.
Labour councillor David Graham said serious questions had to be asked of those who allowed elderly people who had been exposed to the virus to enter homes.
Mr Graham has defended NHS Fife, saying he had been assured Scottish Government guidance had been followed “to the letter”, but criticised politicians for exposing residents to potential harm.
NHS Fife revealed four people who previously tested positive for coronavirus had been discharged to care homes in the region, but not until at least 14 days after the positive test.
It said this had been done in line with clinical advice and national guidance stating patients could be admitted without causing unnecessary risk to other residents.
The board has not revealed which care homes were involved but a source claimed three different premises were used and patients were isolated when they arrived, meaning no other resident was exposed to the virus.
Labour councillor Colin Davidson said the homes involved should be named to put minds at rest.
“People need to know all the facts so they can make their own minds up,” he said.
The Scottish Government said its guidance was clear that anyone moving to a care home should be risk assessed and isolated for 14 days.
A spokesperson said: “This is to make explicit that steps should be taken to ensure patients are screened clinically so people at risk were not transferred inappropriately.
