A Canberra family says it was put at risk when its elderly grandmother was discharged from hospital hours after testing positive for influenza A.
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Rose Voelker, 84, was discharged from Calvary Hospital this week and is now back living with her son and granddaughter in Macgregor.
Son Peter Voelker said he and his family had been forced to take onerous safety precautions to keep them from getting sick, buying facemasks and protective outerwear.
Their young daughter Ellie is particularly at risk because she suffers from epilepsy and has a history of pneumonia.
Mr Voelker has called on greater precautions to isolate people with the sickness and prevent them from being in contact with vulnerable people and spreading the disease within the community.
He said he was surprised when Mrs Voelker had been sent home just hours after tests came back positive for influenza A.
Mr Voelker said her regular carers had been surprised and concerned she had been sent home and he had to buy protective clothing so they could care for her.
“When I went to the hospital we had to cover up with protective gear because they said they were waiting on results to see if it was the flu,” he said.
“Later that evening they called us up and they said she’s been cleared to go home - I assumed it meant she didn’t have the flu.
"Our little daughter who has epilepsy - she picks up anything just like that. She's had pneumonia too so we are very concerned.
"They shouldn't put us at risk when they can have her in there and treat her properly at the same time.
"When I asked why they just said it's better for her to be at home rather than the hospital."
He said he wanted to encourage everyone to protect themselves from the flu - through flu shots - to keep the most vulnerable protected.
He said if someone has tested positive to the flu they should buy gowns and protective gear to stop the spread of the virus.
"Hopefully [the hospital] will take her back," Mr Voelker said.
Hospitals and health networks across the country are preparing for winter after a horror flu season last year.
It was the worst season in five years in the ACT with the government blaming it for constant overcrowding at Canberra Hospital.
ACT Health and Calvary were contacted for information about correct clinical guidelines for the discharge and treatment of flu patients.
Calvary would not provide any details, while ACT Health could not respond by deadline.
