Staff at Perth College have criticised the institution’s handling of the coronavirus epidemic after employees were left in the dark over a colleague and student who are self-isolating.
Some employees have been left angry and upset at the time it has taken management to notify staff and students of the cases, with fears that those with impaired immune systems are being put at risk.
The Courier understands a lecturer contacted the NHS towards the end of February and was told to self-isolate.
Worried staff members say rumours have been spreading around campus, but management at the college did not update employees about the situation for days.
In January a student self-isolated in the halls of residence at the college after returning from mainland China and again staff claim they were not notified until nearly 13 days later.
The information came to light at a health and safety committee at the college when members were told of the situation.
Following the meeting members of the health and safety committee said they contacted NHS Tayside to raise concerns about the college’s inaction.
Speaking after the lecturer went into self-isolation, one staff member who asked to remain anonymous, said: “There is no risk assessment or protocol in place that I can see. The excuse is that they didn’t want to cause a panic.
“Now of course, 500 odd folk hearing a secretive rumour has caused even more worry than ever.
“Nothing is in place either for vulnerable groups of staff, students or public. And there will be people with heart conditions, undergoing chemo, pregnant women etc. They (the college) are completely clueless.”
A second employee, who also wanted to stay anonymous, said: “There’s been no information for staff. It’s been really badly handled.
“The communication has been so poor.”
A spokesperson for Perth College said it could neither “confirm or deny” the cases but insisted the organisation was following public health government guidelines issued by the Scottish Government.
