A “small number” of employees at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary have tested positive for coronavirus. 

Two members of staff within the Health Records office are now self-isolating after testing positive for the virus last week. 

An Occupational Health team is currently working to identify close contacts to those who have tested positive at the department - located in the Queen Elizabeth building at the hospital. 

Glasgow Times:

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A source from the Royal Infirmary has since raised concerns with the Glasgow Times, claiming it took management almost three months to enforce social distancing measures with face masks only advised for use recently.

They said: “It took nearly three months to bring in social distancing measures where staff were put at risk. Only recently staff have been advised to wear masks when moving around the office.

“The first case, management attempted to keep it quiet but of course this eventually got out. A shocking approach to handling the spread of a pandemic. 

“The second and very recent case in the same office, once more has been poorly dealt with. 

“Staff now have no faith and feel the working environment is unsafe, staff are still awaiting any guidance from management.”

“All staff are distressed at how this has been handled, considering we are in a hospital it’s rather shocking.

“Essentially, staff feel lives are potentially being put at risk purely for the reason of having staff in to work.”

Glasgow Times:

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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have since refuted these claims, stating that infection control procedures have been implemented at the city hospital “since the outset of this pandemic”. 

A spokeswoman said: “There have been a small number of positive cases of staff in the Health Records team based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. 

“Our Occupational Health team use the same process as Test and Protect to conduct contact tracing. This involves speaking to those who are confirmed positive with the virus and identifying their close contacts who are then advised to self-isolate. 

“If staff are not approached, it has been deemed they are not at risk. To protect staff confidentiality, details are not released further.

“We have social distancing and infection control procedures in place and have done so since the outset of this pandemic at all of our facilities.

“Our staff are reminded to follow these rules. The measures applied are updated in line with the latest UK and Scottish guidance.  

“All of our facilities are cleaned on a regular basis and deep cleaned where appropriate.”

The Glasgow Times understands around 30 to 40 employees work at the Health Records department.