New warning as NHS Trusts forced to deploy CCTV after thefts of masks and sanitiser
A FRESH warning has been issued about the thefts of hand-sanitisers and face masks from hospitals - with CCTV being deployed to catch the culprits.
Essential kit and toilet rolls have gone missing from already stretched wards since the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic.
Warwick and University Hospital in Coventry have both been hit, with gels vital to preventing the spread of Covid-19 being blatantly ripped off walls in corridors.
Anger and disbelief followed the first reports of the thefts, which took place against a backdrop of panicbuying that saw the same items run dry in many supermarkets.
However, a sterner warning has now been issued by South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT), which runs Warwick Hospital, with an accompanying threat to use CCTV in order to catch the culprits.
In a post on Facebook, the Trust said: “While we understand that people are concerned, it is extremely disappointing that hand-sanitiser and other equipment that helps to keep our staff and patients safe is being stolen from our Trust.
“The NHS is on the front-line fighting COVID-19 and we kindly ask that our community refrains from taking anything from our hospitals so we can do our jobs and continue the fight. Thank you.”
The message was accompanied by an imposing image of a CCTV camera.
Responding to the message, Vicky Malin wrote: “The fact that SWFT Thefts of gels, toilet rolls and face to beds. It’s not known no longer accepting visitors, with soap and water regularly, thoroughly are having to put this announce- masks had previously been reported where the photograph was taken, restrictions in place at Warwick. and for 20 seconds is one of ment on Facebook is so upsetting, at Warwick Hospital, including in but a source has told Coventrylive Andi Conway-horbury, a social the most effective ways to protect the world has gone mad and clearly the A&E department, provoking that the measure has been in force at welfare homeless officer based in yourself and others from coronavirus all basic values of society have gone anger among staff. Warwick Hospital. Warwick, has condemned the theft and seasonal illnesses such as out of the window.” The use of barrier protection in The thefts come at a time when of essential kit, which he said can norovirus and flu.
Evidence of the thefts first hospitals has been described as a frontline staff are struggling to cope potentially make the “difference “While we understand that people emerged earlier this month amid an “life and death” matter helping to with the Covid-19 outbreak, which between life and death” are concerned, it is extremely disappointing outbreak of panic-buying, further guard against potentially fatal infections has so far claimed 335 lives in the Glen Burley, chief executive of thathandsanitiserand other hampering NHS staff responding to and superbugs amid the escalating UK. SWFT, has also expressed his disappointment equipment that helps to keep our the biggest public emergency since Covid-19 pandemic. Routine operations are being that the items are being staff and patients safe is being stolen the Second World War. NHS staff across the country have halted at all NHS hospitals for at stolen at Warwick. from our Trust. The NHS is on the
One picture showed a hand-sanitiser reported that supplies of gloves and least three months in an effort to create Speaking after the first reports, Mr frontline fighting Coronavirus and that had been ripped from the masks are already low, even with the bed spaces and relieve some of Burley said: “I would certainly want we kindly ask that our community wall at University Hospital Coventry pandemic yet to reach its peak. the burden. to encourage goodhandhygiene. refrains from taking anything from in Walsgrave, despite its obvious Another picture apparently shows University Hospital Coventry and Viruses can live on surfaces for our hospital so we can do our jobs location and a red ‘stop’ sign. how staff have had to cable-tie handsanitisers The Hospital of St Cross, Rugby, are hours. However, washing yourhandswith and continue the fight.”