Frontline NHS staff‘terrified’over PPE shortage

NHS workers across Wales are “deeply scared and anxious about their safety” – and some are even “too terrified to go to work”.

That’s according to two trade unions who have now called for more clarity on the stock and supply on the stock and supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) available to its members.

In a join statement, the Wales TUC (Trades Union Congress) and BMA (British Medical Association) Cymru say they want assurances that all health and social care staff will get the PPE they need to tackle the coronavirus threat on the frontline.

They also want guarantees that supplies are getting where they need to be. The Welsh Government have said they will leave “no stone unturned” to protect the “fantastic” NHS.

But the trade unions say they have been contacted by hundreds of workers with concerns about inadequate levels of PPE to enable them to do their jobs safely.

The joint statement reads: “This includes cases where no PPE is provided at all, insufficient or unsafe PPE is given, or PPE has been provided to an employer but withheld from staff. It also includes examples of staff not able to access adequate changing facilities, workers forced to buy their own PPE, and where staff have become terrified to go to work for fear of making themselves and their families ill.”

Shavanah Taj, Wales TUC’s General Secretary said: “Frontline NHS workers fighting COVID 19 are deeply scared and anxious about their safety, particularly as the death toll of front line workers continues to increase. We urgently need clarity on PPE stocks and supply.”

Dr David Bailey, BMA’s Welsh Council Chair, said: “Frontline staff simply cannot be expected to treat patients without appropriate PPE. Staff must receive assurances that appropriate PPE will be available, and that a national strategy is in place to ensure supplies will continue. We are calling on Welsh Government to be transparent with staff about supplies. It’s imperative that staff are protected so they can continue to protect patients.”

The unions want to know more detail as to how much PPE has been ordered, including what type and how it’s being distributed.

A spokesman for the Welsh Government revealed eight million extra pieces of PPE have been distributed during the pandemic.

“We’re working hard to make sure all our frontline NHS and social care staff have the protection, support and confidence they need to undertake their vital roles safely and efficiently, this includes working with trade unions, health bodies, regulators and local government,” said the Welsh Government spokesman.

He continued: “So far, we’ve distributed more than eight million extra pieces of PPE from our pandemic stocks, over and above or usual supply.

“We’ve worked with other home nations across the UK to pool our procurement efforts and bring in vital new stocks.

“We’ve also worked with our partners in industry to supplement the production of supplies through innovation and new manufacturing routes

“No stone will be left unturned in our efforts to protect our fantastic NHS and social care staff.”