Seriously ill children suffering lack of vital kit, charity warns

SUPPLIES of life-saving ventilators for seriously ill children have been depleted during the coronavirus crisis, a leading charity has warned.

Wellchild, the national charity for sick children, said that around 3,000 families were facing shortages of equipment such as bacterial filters and tubes that need regular replacement.

The kit used to keep seriously ill children’s ventilators functioning is the same as that used to treat coronavirus patients, meaning families are being forced to use supplies longer than is recommended. Parents have expressed fears of infection, as well as long-term damage to children’s health, even death.

Tara Parker, a Wellchild director, said: “Whilst the needs of the pandemic were unforeseen, the needs of these children have long been known.”