An NHS medic showed up at St John's Hospital under the influence of alcohol – and was "so drunk he couldn't put his PPE on" – it is claimed.
NHS Lothian say they are aware of an incident involving an off-duty member of staff at the hospital in Livingston.
A source at the hospital told Edinburgh Live that the shocking ordeal happened on the evening of Easter Sunday (12 April) – and left a number of staff worried for their own health and safety, and that of patients, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
They said the whole thing happened in front of a patient leaving one of the intensive care units – and for the medic to have been in a clinical area "clean corridor", where coronavirus patients were, in outdoor clothes is a serious breach of protocol.
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The source also claims that the medic in question, who refused to leave when asked, has since tested positive for coronavirus and is off work as a result.
NHS Lothian are understood to be investigating the matter.
They have confirmed that they are aware of an incident but wouldn't be drawn on the specifics as they don't comment on individual members of staff.
Janis Butler, Director of HR and Organisational Development, said: “We are aware of an incident involving a member of staff who was not on duty. We are unable to discuss this further, as we do not comment on individual members of staff.”
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