Couple challenge virus guidance

A COUPLE, who are both doctors, have initiated legal action against the government over “risky” guidance issued on the use of personal protective equipment, such as surgical gowns, across the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Nishant Joshi and his pregnant wife, Dr Meenal Viz, launched judicial review proceedings last month, seeking answers from the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England.

Last Thursday (21), they decided to push ahead with the case in the high court in London after receiving “unconvincing” responses.

“We asked simple questions one month ago, hoping for ... swift resolution with (health secretary) Matt Hancock. In that time, over 100 more healthcare and social workers have died,” the couple said.

The legal challenge against the guidance, which applies to healthcare and social care workers, claims that it reduces the requirement to wear personal protective equipments (PPE) and allows for re-use of some PPE.

It is argued that this goes against World Health Organisation guidance and puts healthcare workers at risk.

Joshi and Viz have launched a crowdfunding campaign for the legal challenge, which attracted £35,458 in pledges.

The Department of Health has not commented on the legal challenge directly but has previously stressed that measures are in place to minimise risk.