Our survey also shows that a large majority of doctors fear the NHS is ill-prepared to deal with a major outbreak. More than 99 per cent of 1618 medics questioned by the Doctors’ Association UK did not agree that the service is well prepared to cope if it is hit by an epidemic.
In a poll, The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) asked doctors “Do you feel the NHS is well prepared for coronavirus?” Only 8 of the 1618 respondents answered that they did feel it was prepared.
Following DAUK’s article on the front page of the Daily Mirror DAUK speaks to the Royal College of Nursing on bullying of junior doctors by nurses, as well as paying tribute to those nursing colleagues who have intervened whilst juniors have faced public bullying and humiliation.
As the government suggests that retired doctors could be drafted in to help with Coronavirus Dr Rinesh Parmar DAUK Chair reacts in The Telegraph pointing out that many doctors have been forced into retirement by a punitive pensions tax which has still not been fixed.
Our survey of over 1600 doctors revealed that just 8 think the NHS is well prepared for Coronovirus. Frontline doctors have detailed their concerns including critical care capacity and lack of basic provisions. Read more in The Guardian here.
Over the last few months The Doctors’ Association UK has been hearing from whistleblowers at West Suffolk Hospital who have spoken to us candidly following a number of cases where patients had come to harm. They’ve described the “persecution” of whistleblowers and a “witch hunt” where the senior trust managers had sought fingerprints and handwriting analysis to identify the whistleblower. DAUK has commented widely on how this does not promote a free and open culture in healthcare, one which is fair and focuses on Learn Not Blame.
DAUK Chair, Dr Rinesh Parmar speaks to Sky News about concerns from members about the availability of intensive care beds in the event of a Coronavirus outbreak.