A FURIOUS family are demanding answers from health bosses because their father caught Covid-19 just one week after his return to work following an eight-month absence.

Rab McMillan, from Drumchapel, has worked as a porter at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary for the last 47 years - and he is currently in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital’s intensive care unit after developing complications of Covid-19.

Upon his admission to hospital, it was discovered Mr McMillan had shadows on his lungs due to the damage of Covid-19, leaving him unable to be ventilated.

He developed symptoms of the virus just one week after he returned to work following an eight month sickness absence where he was recovering from a quadruple heart bypass.

READ MORE: 'Get behind Toy Appeal or Christmas will be hardest ever,' warns Glasgow charity

It is claimed that Mr McMillan’s GP advised him to shield throughout this time due to the higher risk of him catching the virus.

But Mr McMillan’s family say he felt under pressure to return to work after his sick pay entitlement ran out. They believe that he was still unfit to return to work when he did and argue that financial pressures led to the decision.

Due to the sick pay entitlement running out, Mr McMillan felt he had no alternative but to submit a claim for universal credit.

Mr McMillan’s son, Colin McInnes has hit out at the health board.

He said: “Why was my dad doing this even though his bosses knew the risks? He could have been doing something else like admin duties if they needed him back at work.

“It just seems there has been no empathy in the way he has been dealt with.

“We want to make it clear that this is not to bring the NHS into disrepute.”

READ MORE: Coronavirus Scotland: Vaccination to start across UK next week

The family are also demanding answers after they have claimed Mr McMillan was involved in transporting Covid-19 patients around the hospital just days after returning from his absence.

Mr McMillan suffers from coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes which according to NHS guidance, puts him at moderate risk of complications from Covid-19.

Mr McMillan remains in a critical condition at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital but his family are fearful that he may not make it.

As the family are now having to self isolate, they are not able to comfort each other throughout this time.

A spokeswoman for the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde confirmed that an investigation is underway into claims that Mr McMillan was pressured to go back to work.

She said: “Mr McMillan is a valued member of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary portering team who has dedicated his working life to the NHS and to its patients.

We were very sorry to learn this week of Mr McMillan’s current condition, he remains in the care of NHS GGC colleagues.

There is return-to-work guidance in place across the NHS for those who were previously shielding, alongside a Once for Scotland sickness absence policy.

We are aware of concerns raised by Mr McMillan’s family and are currently investigating them.

Our thoughts are with Mr McMillan and his family at this difficult time, and we very much hope that he is able to make a full recovery.”