A FIFE MSP has raised his concern that NHS Fife do not know how many patients were discharged from hospitals into care homes without Covid-19 testing in March, April and May this year.

The Director of Health and Social Care told Alex Rowley “NHS Fife does not hold the information” and also said they could not tell the Labour MSP how many people during that period were transferred from acute hospitals into community hospitals without being tested.

Commenting Alex Rowley said: "There will be a public enquiry to establish how all these organisations handled their responsibilities during the Covid-19 pandemic and that is right and proper, but for now we must understand what went wrong so that the same mistakes are not made if there is a second spike or wave of the virus. "I find it incredible that NHS Fife does not have this information.”

Nicky Connor, director of Health and Social Care wrote back to Mr Rowley: "I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, NHS Fife does not hold the information you requested. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to transfer your request to another public body. You may wish to consider contacting Public Health Scotland direct."

According to the National Records of Scotland, in Fife to date there have been 201 deaths, where Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate. The current data shows that 75 of these deaths were in care homes, 109 in hospitals and 17 at home. On top of this, according to Scottish Government figures, 74% of care homes in Fife have had a suspected Covid-19 case.

Mr Rowley added: “We need to have full transparency from NHS Fife Management on what has happened and assurances on the actions they are taking to ensure no one is being moved around from hospital to community settings without being tested.

"To have made this mistake once is questionable but to do so twice would be unforgivable and I am now seeking assurances from the CEO of NHS Fife that every measure is in place to protect the most vulnerable in hospitals and in the community”.