DAUK in The Times: doctors launch High Court challenge over PPE
Doctors and campaigners have launched a High Court challenge against the government over its refusal to hold a public inquiry into PPE shortages.
Doctors and campaigners have launched a High Court challenge against the government over its refusal to hold a public inquiry into PPE shortages.
Writing for The Times DAUK committee member Dr Dolin Bhagawati made DAUK’s case for Indefinite Leave to Remain to be granted for all frontline healthcare staff serving on the frontline of the NHS during the pandemic.
Boris Johnson has agreed to exempt health and care workers from the NHS surcharge. The climbdown came after Tory backbenchers said they would support Labour’s effort to force the government’s hand. The row broke out on Monday when the Doctor’s Association UK wrote to Priti Patel, the home secretary, urging the government to abandon the surcharge, which it described as “an insult to all who are serving this country at its time of greatest need”.
A DAUK poll had found that 1/5 of 900 respondents had been given unusable PPE including mouldy expired masks and gowns with holes in.
DAUK expresses concern regarding rationing of gowns and eye protection in The Times.
Dr Samantha Batt-Rawden, president of the Doctors’ Association UK, said: “Doctors are making extraordinary sacrifices to ensure that they can stay on the frontline during this pandemic. We know that many doctors have taken the difficult decision to live away from their families, including their children, as they worry about spreading the virus.”
DAUK tell The Times that updated PPE guidance from Public Health England fails to address the fundamental issue of the dire lack of PPE on the frontline.