Hospital driver dies from Covid

Tributes to Rab Stewart as other staff told to self-isolate

A Tayside hospital worker has died after contracting Covid-19 amid an outbreak in his department.

Grandad Rab Stewart, who worked as a delivery driver in Ninewells Hospital’s central decontamination unit (CDU), died after more than a week in intensive care.

Nine staff members are understood to have tested positive in the Dundee unit and more than 20 others are self-isolating.

Billy Alexander, head of soft facilities at NHS Tayside, described Mr Stewart as a “dear colleague and friend”. He said: “Our thoughts are with Rab’s family at this sad time and we send our deepest sympathies to them.”

NHS Tayside said the unit, which is understood to be operating with just over half of its usual workforce, was continuing to do its work and the outbreak is being monitored.

A spokesperson said: “All staff have also been offered testing and support from our wellbeing and occupational health services has been made available.”

Astaff member at Nine wells Hospital in Dundee has died after contracting Covid-19 amid an outbreak.

Rab Stewart, who worked as a delivery driver in the central decontamination unit (CDU), died at the weekend after more than a week in intensive care.

The unit is battling a wave of infections with nine staff members understood to have tested positive and more than 20 others self-isolating.

Billy Alexander, head of soft facilities at NHS Tayside, confirmed Mr Stewart’s death.

He said: “Rab was a wellrespected and valued member of staff within the central decontamination unit at Ninewells Hospital where he worked as a delivery driver.

“Rab worked with the team for over 18 years and was a dear colleague and friend.

“Our thoughts are with Rab’s family at this sad time and we send our deepest sympathies to them.”

The number of infections has snowballed since the first reported case in the CDU at the start of the month.

NHS Tayside said the unit, which is understood to be down to around 50% of its usual staff, was continuing to operate and the outbreak is being monitored.

A spokesperson said: “NHS Tayside’s infection prevention and control team is investigating a number of cases of Covid19 in staff working in the central decontamination unit at Ninewells Hospital.

“All appropriate infection prevention and control measures have been put in place and a number of staff have been asked to self-isolate.

“All staff have also been offered testing, and support from our wellbeing and occupational health services has been made available.

“Services provided by the CDU continue as normal.”

The CDU disinfects trays, instrument packs, supplementaries and soft goods.

Mr Stewart was one of a team of drivers delivering items to 45 theatres throughout Tayside and Fife.

The news comes after a supervisor in the hospital’s catering services department tested positive last week.

An outbreak which started in early November at the Carseview Centre’s learning disability assessment unit is also ongoing.

Three non-Covid wards were closed to visitors and new admissions at the end of October following positive results.

Staff members at Ninewells say they are worried about the cases.

One worker commented: “People are getting the virus left, right and centre just now.

“It’s just horrible.”

OUTBREAK: Ninewells Hospital is battling a wave of Covid-19 infections among staff.