• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
  • Contact us
  • Guest Content
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Elevenses
  • Business
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Property
  • JOBS
  • All
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Sport
    • Tech/Auto
    • Lifestyle
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Set For Life
      • Thunderball
      • EuroMillions
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Doctors ‘gagged’ over protective equipment concerns

Campaign group claims it has seen ‘draconian measures used to gag doctors’.

Jack Peat by Jack Peat
2020-03-31 13:35
in News
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

Medics have been “gagged” over speaking out about concerns around a lack of protective equipment for frontline health workers, it has been claimed.

Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) said that NHS staff “should not be gagged” after reports were published of staff being ordered not to speak to the media over concerns about personal protective equipment (PPE).

Global shortages of the equipment medics and carers need to protect themselves against Covid-19 have led to shortfalls in the UK.

Serious shortages on the NHS frontline

Doctors have highlighted serious shortages on the NHS frontline by speaking to the media.

Some have described how kit is being “hidden” by desperate staff, while others have described how they feel as though it is “inevitable” they will get sick.

The Independent has now reported that many doctors have been warned not to speak to the media during the outbreak.

Dr Rinesh Parmar, chairman of the DAUK – a campaign group for medics – said it had received a number of concerns from doctors.

“We are seeing draconian measures used to gag doctors and nurses on the frontline,” he said.

“The NHS will only benefit if we learn from each other’s experience. If we are unable to share our learning then patients will be put at risk.

RelatedPosts

Donald Trump ‘hides on golf course’ as dozens killed in Texas floods

Bob Vylan album surges up the charts after Glastonbury controversy

Elon Musk says he has formed a new political party after Trump fall out

Police arrest 83-year-old priest holding placard in support of Palestine Action

“We must protect the frontline. NHS staff should not be gagged.”

“NHS staff should not be gagged”

But it appears that no national order has been handed down to prevent medics speaking out over concerns.

An NHS spokeswoman said: “Once a major incidents occurs it is vital that the public receive fast, authoritative, open, clear and consistent information from their NHS, which is why in line with long-standing protocols, official communications are therefore always co-ordinated nationally.

“But staff continue to speak in a personal, trade union or professional body capacity, and it is self-evident from print and broadcast media coverage throughout this incident that staff are able and do in fact speak freely.”

The reports come after the British Medical Association (BMA) called for clarity from ministers about what risks they should not have to take if they do not have adequate PPE.

“Life-threatening shortages” of PPE

The union warned that many hospitals and GP practices continue to face “life-threatening shortages” of PPE.

BMA consultants’ committee chairman Dr Rob Harwood said: “Doctors are placing themselves at significant risk by treating patients on the frontline and there are concerns that sometimes this is without adequate PPE.”

On Sunday, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said the Government “cannot and should not ask people to be on the frontline without the right protective equipment”.

He also confirmed that 170 million masks and almost 10 million items of cleaning equipment are among the items being delivered to NHS trusts and healthcare settings.

New equipment

Meanwhile manufacturers have rallied to help frontline NHS workers by making new equipment.

People with 3D printers have also joined the movement too.

3Dcrowd, a community of 3D printer owners, have come together to make protective face masks.

As of Tuesday, they have received more than 365 separate orders from hospitals and social care facilities across the country, which equates to demand of more than 110,000 masks.

Gen Ashley is helping co-ordinate the effort, and told the PA news agency: “There is a huge demand for these shields, we get contacted by a lot of people from hospitals and care homes, even pharmacists, paramedics.

“There is a huge demand for it and there’s a shortage. It’s important to protect the people who are protecting us.”

The group are hoping to meet a new fundraising target of £40,000 which will allow them to produce 20,000 masks.

Related: How to save lives and the economy during COVID-19 pandemic

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

SUPPORT

We do not charge or put articles behind a paywall. If you can, please show your appreciation for our free content by donating whatever you think is fair to help keep TLE growing and support real, independent, investigative journalism.

DONATE & SUPPORT

Contact

Editorial enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Commercial enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Address

The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE
Company number 09221879
International House,
24 Holborn Viaduct,
London EC1A 2BN,
United Kingdom

© The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Lottery Results
    • Lotto
    • Set For Life
    • Thunderball
    • EuroMillions
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy

← Gin distillery switches to hand sanitiser production during COVID-19 crisis ← Ikea opens Covid-19 test centre for frontline health workers
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Lottery Results
    • Lotto
    • Set For Life
    • Thunderball
    • EuroMillions
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy

-->