Doctors’ union attacks football’s purchase of PPE

BMA reports two-thirds of staff still feel unprotected Premier League pledges it will not compromise NHS

The Premier League should not be using personal protective equipment during the coronavirus crisis until shortages blamed for the deaths of healthcare workers are fully resolved, the UK’s doctors’ union has told The Sunday Telegraph.

The British Medical Association said there needed to be an “adequate and consistent supply” of PPE across the health service before consideration was given to the needs of “non-essential sectors” such as sport.

Government guidance on elite sport’s return published last week specifically stated: “If suitable PPE cannot be procured without taking away supply intended for key workers then the practice or work requiring the PPE should not take place.”

The Premier League last night confirmed it had bought PPE for use as part of Project Restart but said this “will not compromise” National Health Service stock and would be different to that used by “front-line” – albeit not necessarily all – doctors and nurses.

Similar PPE could also be used in the English Football League and racing, the other sport attempting an imminent return behind closed doors.

That has provoked concern from the BMA, which recently carried out a survey that found almost half of doctors had been forced to rely upon donated or self-bought PPE and two-thirds still did not feel fully protected, with one doctor commenting: “The PPE situation is an outrage for all staff. Lives lost for want of plastic visors, masks and eye protection.”

A BMA spokesman said: “The latest BMA survey results seem to show the supply chain situation is improving but there are still issues in some areas. It is important that these are resolved first, and adequate and consistent supply is available across the health service, before we consider other non-essential sectors.”

A survey this month by the Royal College of Nursing found more than a third of nurses were caring for Covid-19 patients without adequate PPE. An RCN spokesman said yesterday that resolving that “has to be the priority to keep them and patients safe”.

The Premier League is also facing questions over whether Project Restart would further fuel what is already a surge of up to 800 per cent in the cost of PPE for care homes, which have become the new front line in the fight against Covid-19.

Professor Martin Green, the chief executive of Care England, said: “One of my members would spend £200,000 at this point in the year on PPE. Their bill is now at £2.7million.

“The hike in price is phenomenal. We’ve seen some commodities go up in price by 800 per cent, for example, on things like masks etc. This is a global pandemic so you’re competing against the world to access this supply.”

Asked whether it was right for football to be among those using PPE at such a time, he replied: “It’s a question for politicians, really.”

Sport’s return is being overseen by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whose Labour shadow, Jo Stevens, said: “There needs to be some realism

in this debate and resuming live sport, which we all want to see, needs to be part of the Government’s national planning and strategy.

“Just suggesting that football might return ignores the fact that this will require significant provision of PPE and repeated testing of everyone involved.

“In addition to the players, it will still take hundreds of coaches, officials, club and stadium staff to ensure the smooth running of games, and to run adequate training even in quarantined team bases. Our absolute priority must be beating the virus and ensuring all health and care staff have access to the essential PPE needed to keep them, and those they are caring for, safe.

“With both tests and PPE at such a premium, surely it’s only right that our health and care workers come first.”

The Premier League said last night it had spent £38,000 in total on PPE, less than £2,000 per club. A spokesman added: “The Premier League will supply personal protective equipment to club medical staff to treat players requiring essential treatment. This has been sourced from UK suppliers, is fully approved and will not compromise NHS stock.

“The equipment is different to that which front-line doctors and nurses use. It will be strictly allocated and clubs will be supplied with no more than they require. We continue to work within Government guidelines while ensuring player and staff safety is not compromised.”

A Government spokesperson said: “We have been clear that certain items of PPE must be prioritised for health and care staff. We are working around the clock to increase PPE supplies and have delivered over 1.27 billion items of PPE since the start of the outbreak. Our efforts continue to focus on ensuring PPE reaches those fighting the virus on the front line.”