Anger claims the government “failed to stockpile PPE”

Important personal protective equipment Before (PPE) Coronavirus pandemic. “data-reactid =” 32 “> There was anger from medical professionals after a study revealed that the government failed to stockpile Important personal protective equipment Before (PPE) Coronavirus Pandemic.

BBC Panorama found When COVID-19 arrived in England, there were no gowns, visors, swabs, or body bags in the government pandemic stockpile. “data-reactid =” 33 “>BBC Panorama found When COVID-19 arrived in England, there were no gowns, visors, swabs, or body bags in the government pandemic stockpile.

It said that when installed in 2009, important items were left out of its stockpile and the government ignored warnings from its advisors to purchase missing equipment.

The program, which will be broadcast Monday night, also argued that the government could downgrade guidance on COVID-19 severity by March 13 to provide health workers with lower levels of PPE.

“Did the Government Fail the NHS?”, The government claimed to have counted a single surgical glove instead of a pair as one item in the PPE. “data-reactid =” 36 “> The program is “Did the Government Fail the NHS?”, The government claimed to have counted a single surgical glove rather than a pair as one item in the PPE.

One health care worker told the program: “It’s okay if we call us heroes or we die.”

The government is arguing that it is taking appropriate steps in response to the coronavirus pandemic and is trying to increase its PPE reserves.

But Panorama said the emerging respiratory virus threat advisory group (Nervtag), a panel of experts advising the government on pandemics, needs to buy a gown, one of the missing items last June. I said that.

A government spokesman told the program that Nervtag did not recommend stocking swabs and body bags.

Live: Follow all the latest updates in the UK and around the world“data-reactid =” 44 “>Live: Follow all the latest updates in the UK and around the world

Fact Checker: Number of COVID-19 cases in the local area“data-reactid =” 45 “>Fact Checker: Number of COVID-19 cases in the local area

6 charts and maps explaining how COVID-19 is spreading“data-reactid =” 46 “>6 charts and maps explaining how COVID-19 is spreading

He said the stockpile was designed for a pandemic of the flu, with COVID-19 having a higher hospitalization rate.

COVID-19 was officially designated as a High Impact Infectious Disease (HCID) in January.

In 2019, the Health and Safety Executive recommended that all health care workers wear gowns, FFP3 masks and visors when working with HCID.

However, Panorama downgraded the PPE guidance on March 13th, telling NHS workers it was safe to wear protective aprons and basic surgical masks, and sent COVID-19 to HCID’s listing on the same day. Said that it has taken steps to remove it from.

But instead of consulting with experts who recommended classifying COVID-19 as HCID, the government instead asked the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP), Panorama said.

The program stated that the decisions the sources of that committee argued were based in part on the low availability of PPE.

Official guidance on coronavirusesThe government says COVID-19 was removed from the list due to its low “overall” mortality rate and “higher clinical awareness and specific and sensitive laboratory tests.” “data-reactid =” 60 “> Official guidance on coronavirusesAccording to the government, COVID-19 was excluded from the list due to its “overall” low mortality rate and “clinical awareness, specific and sensitive laboratory tests.”

Former Regional Health Director Professor John Ashton said that failure to stock up some items meant that NHS staff were working without significant equipment.

He told the program: “As a result of not planning, not ordering kits, and lack of stock, we are at the forefront of doctors, nurses, other health workers and social workers. Is being sent without any safe equipment. ”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Human Services said: “This is an unprecedented pandemic, we take the right measures at the right time and always respond with the best scientific advice.

“The government is working day and night to fight the coronavirus, providing NHS protection and strategies that are always designed to save lives.”

On Tuesday, in response to the Panorama program, the Minister for Protecting Victoria Atkins told BBC Breakfast: “I’m very disappointed to hear that report.”

She continued. “I think it is absolutely clear that we are working with scientists throughout this crisis … trying and ensuring this is phased out.

“PPE requirements have skyrocketed and we are committed to addressing these needs and will continue during this crisis.”

#Lie Over 40 years as an NHS infantry, I haven’t hurt that much # Panorama The government used to count each glove as an item in PPE to tamper with the numbers and prove to meet demand. #PPEshortage killed #NHSheroes !!Azuki Resignation

— Dr Kailash Chand OBE (@KailashChandOBE) April 28, 2020

The story continues

The national stockpile is not a single protective suit. When the large amount of delivered PPE was quoted by the minister, they counted each glove as one piece! V It’s a good program, but it’s outrageous. Worth to see. https://t.co/lYBDmq10am

— Gabriel Scally (@GabrielScally) April 27, 2020

The government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic on social media has been angry by medical professionals and workers.

Dr. Kailash Chand, Honorary Vice President of the British Medical Association (BMA) tweeted, “As an NHS infantry for over 40 years, I’ve never seen #Panorama.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Gabriel Scaly, a former director of public health at the University of Bristol and an emeritus professor of public health, said the program was “totally curse” for the government.

Labor lawmaker Zara Sultana said the program “showed the courage of the NHS staff.”

Charlotte Villiers, a law professor at the University of Bristol, tweeted: “It’s immeasurable how a government can survive and stay in power. They are guilty.”

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