Management at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin investigate health staff's social media images of Boxing Day party
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
SENIOR management at Dr Gray's Hospital are investigating a complaint after it was alleged that four staff - including three frontline nurses - attended a Boxing Day party in breach of Covid protocols.
One member of public who reported the matter, told The Northern Scot: "If this is how your NHS local workers carry on, how do you think us public are supposed to take this Covid serious? This is extremely upsetting to see when I cannot see my family and my grandchildren.
"I have lost two good friends to this horrendous virus and I know a lot of people are horrified that so-called professionals can act like this."
Alasdair Pattinson, hospital manager, said: “We are aware of the images circulating on social media and both Dr Gray’s Hospital management and HR colleagues are investigating. It would not be appropriate to comment further while that process is ongoing.
“However, speaking generally, the vast majority of our staff have gone above and beyond on a daily basis, for the better part of a year, in the fight against Covid-19. NHS Grampian strongly condemns any deliberate breach of Covid-19 guidelines.
“The rules around indoor gatherings are explicitly clear and any deviation from the guidelines can create a high risk setting for the virus to spread rapidly.
“As an organisation we expect our staff to follow Covid-19 guidelines and laws both while at work and in their personal lives. This is in order to protect themselves, their families and the wider public.
“We will investigate and take extremely seriously any breaches of the rules. The national guidelines are in place to save lives and lift as much pressure as possible from our frontline staff, as they continue to battle the virus on a daily basis. We all must play our part.”
