Politics

Doctors’ chief says NHS staff fighting coronavirus feel like ‘lambs to the slaughter’ over lack of protective equipment


DESPERATE doctors and nurses feel like “lambs to the slaughter” as they wage Britain’s war against coronavirus without the right protective equipment.

Doctors’ chief Dr Rinesh Parmar said medics across the country feel like “cannon fodder” and GPs feel abandoned.

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 NHS staff are under constant pressure as the UK battles the coronavirus pandemic

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NHS staff are under constant pressure as the UK battles the coronavirus pandemicCredit: Getty Images – Getty
 Doctors’ chief Rinesh Parmar has revealed that medics across the country feel like “cannon fodder” and GPs feel abandoned

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Doctors’ chief Rinesh Parmar has revealed that medics across the country feel like “cannon fodder” and GPs feel abandoned

He called on Boris Johnson to get the personal protective equipment (PPE) to the front line before it is too late.

The Chair of Doctors’ Association told the BBC: “We have had doctors tell us they feel like lambs to the slaughter, that they feel like cannon fodder.

“GPs tell us that they feel absolutely abandoned.

We have had doctors tell us they feel like lambs to the slaughter, that they feel like cannon fodder.

Dr Rinesh Parmar

“We are all pleading with Boris Johnson that they really look into arranging the vital personal protection equipment that all of us need on the NHS front line.”

Dr Parmar added: “What our doctors are telling us is that although equipment is arriving, some of it is inadequate, some of it doesn’t meet the World Health Organisation guidance.

“That really doesn’t fill front-line healthcare staff with the confidence that they need.”

RED ALERT

Today Britain’s coronavirus death toll rose to 240 – after seven new victims were reported in Wales.

Cases for the UK have soared to 5,018, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Health on Saturday.

The NHS is under constant pressure as people rush to get tested and medics go without crucial equipment.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock was forced to make a plea for retired medics to help with the crisis and in the past 48 hours since, 500 former doctors and 4000 nurses have answered the call.

Last week a nurse in one stricken London hospital pleaded for masks, gowns and gloves as she told how staff have been forced to wear clinical waste bags on their feet and heads for protection.

We need proper PPE kit now, or nurses and doctors are going to die. It’s as simple as that.

Nurse

She said: “We need proper PPE kit now, or nurses and doctors are going to die. It’s as simple as that.”

But this morning an NHS executive promised that distribution of PPE to the frontline will “get better over the next few days”.

Jason Leitch, the national clinical director of healthcare quality and strategy, said: “I know there is enough supply, the distribution has been challenging, because we’re adding in new places, we’re adding in care homes, we’re adding in community pharmacies.

“I am confident that the beginning of that supply chain is robust and now the distribution will get better over the next few days”.

 This image shows how nurses are wearing bin bags to cover themselves while treating Covid-19 patients at a North West London hospital

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This image shows how nurses are wearing bin bags to cover themselves while treating Covid-19 patients at a North West London hospital

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