Claims flaws in PPe system may cost hospital lives
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SIGNIFICANT issues with getting coronavirus protection to West Yorkshire hospitals could cost lives, a whistleblower has claimed as they revealed serious flaws in new systems set up by the NHS.
The employee of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) pleaded for urgent action to get so-called personal protection equipment (PPE) to clinicians in Huddersfield and the north.
Speaking to the Examiner, after NHS chiefs had vowed they were tackling the issue, the source claimed that “not a single piece of protective equipment was delivered to any hospital trust in West Yorkshire” from the NHS’ central stockpile on Thursday.
And they revealed that West Yorkshire hospitals had no way to control their own supplies as a new system has been brought in.
It means hospitals are just left waiting to be chosen for a delivery with no way of knowing what items are included on their shipment.
The source said: “CHFT will run out of the proper FFP3 masks in the next couple of days, as well as basic stuff like clinical waste bags, cleaning solutions, hand gel, and even basic aprons.
“We can’t order anything, they just send pallets of stuff based on what they think we need.
“They take no notice of what we want.”
The shortage comes just a few days after a CHFT surgeon revealed his fear of dying on the frontline and leaving behind his wife and boys.
The source added: “Staff will be at risk. Patients will be at risk.
“Stock is being given to (hospital) trusts in the south as a priority.
“People in the north will die because of this.”
The supply problems have been acknowledged by senior NHS and government leaders in recent days.
They have said there isn’t a shortage of PPE but have admitted there has been a struggle getting it to the right places.
A joint statement signed by UNISON, the Royal College of Midwives, GMB, Unite, the TUC, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the British Dietetic Association, said: “Workers are being exposed to unreasonable and unnecessary risk by the ongoing failure to provide key workers with adequate PPE.
“We must be clear what that means. Those who are subject to prolonged and direct exposure to the virus – such as health and social care professionals – are risking their lives.”
Helen Barker, chief operating officer at CHFT, said: “The Trust is continually working with its supply chain to secure the required provision of all personal protective equipment (PPE) for the safety of colleagues and patients.”