An ex-NHS advisor who runs four care homes in the UK has admitted taking in patients infected with coronavirus.
Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group (ICG), filled 19 beds with OAPs discharged from hospital after they tested positive for Covid-19.
The owner of Saint Cecilia's Care Group, which runs four care homes in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, confirmed one of care homes welcomed six Covid-19 patients.
Mr Padgham said the decision helped keep his business afloat.
He told The Sun: "We don’t get paid for empty beds. We had to admit people with Covid-19 to stay afloat.
"It has to be a risk worth taking, the risk of not doing it means the business is not viable, people might have to move or staff might lose their jobs.
"I’ve had a few sleepless nights over it."
The OAPs which Mr Padgham welcomed were classed as "recovering" and stayed on one floor.
Some of the relatives staying in care homes part of Saint Cecilia's Care Group have slammed the decision.
One told the paper: "Hospital patients should never have been put back in the care system. It was obvious it was going to spread like wildfire.
"Mike has been forced to do this or be penalised financially. My gripe is with the Government."
Care providers have struggled to access enough personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing throughout the pandemic, while others have had staffing levels drop and reported trouble accessing Government funds.
Some providers are calling for the Government to protect them from costs if legal action is brought against them because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The ICG, which represents more than 200 providers in North Yorkshire and York, wrote to Health Secretary Matt Hancock: "This is having an impact upon providers who may consider not taking any new admissions for fear of repercussions.
"This would, in turn, impact upon the fight against coronavirus."
Mr Padgham added: "NHS care providers have been indemnified by the Government against such action and we are looking for similar protection for care providers who are fighting the same battle against coronavirus.
"I am very concerned that there will be a substantial number of claims against providers where someone sues a care provider because the person contracted coronavirus whilst they were in their care.
"I hope the Government will step up and help providers in this time of need.
"Providers are doing their best in extreme circumstances and if we truly are ‘all in this together’ then we will need to see that support on the frontline."
The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it will continue to work with the sector on this issue.
A DHSC spokesperson said: "We are doing everything we can to support the social care sector during this unprecedented pandemic and will continue to work them on this issue, as well as with any other concerns they may have."
