Minister sorry ‘people feel’ NHS doesn’t have enough protective equipment
Alok Sharma's comments follow continued criticism of the Government's supply of personal protective equipment to staff on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma has said he is sorry ‘that people feel they are not able to get’ personal protective equipment.
He was pressed on the issue on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show, asked about care workers who said they had to wear bags over their faces in lieu of the proper masks.
His phrasing echoed Priti Patel yesterday, when she said: ‘I’m sorry if people feel that there have been failings.’
Alok Sharma’s comments follow continued criticism of the Government’s supply of personal protective equipment to staff on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.
He said that health staff should not be put in a position where they have to consider withdrawing care due to a lack of protection.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has piled more pressure on ministers after it urged members to refuse to treat patients as a ‘last resort’ if adequate PPE was not provided.
The advice came as the UK death toll from people in hospital passed 10,000 today.
Mr Sharma, asked about the RCN guidelines on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, said: ‘It is absolutely right that no medical professional should be placed in a position where they have to make that choice.
‘That for me is self-evident. That is why we are making sure we get the equipment to the frontline.’
Mr Sharma said demand for PPE was well beyond anything like what it would be outside of a pandemic and that there was a ‘unified effort’ to deliver more supplies.
The Cabinet minister added: ‘In a normal circumstance, you would have us providing PPE to about 233 hospital trusts across the country.
‘We are now talking about supplying 58,000 NHS and social care settings.’
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer backed the RCN’s decision to hand out fresh advice and said ministers’ ambitions on PPE supply ‘isn’t being matched’.
The RCN said in guidelines to nurses: ‘Ultimately, if you have exhausted all other measures to reduce the risk and you have not been given appropriate PPE in line with the UK Infection Prevention and Control guidance, you are entitled to refuse to work.’
Sir Keir, speaking to Sky News, said: ‘They’re in a position to give guidance to those in their association and they should give that guidance.’
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