Government criticised for 'abject PPE failure' as more than half of doctors forced to buy their own

George Martin
Updated ·3 min read
Medical staff put on their personal protective equipment (PPE) at an MOT testing centre in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which is being used as a drive through testing location for Covid-19, as the UK continues in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Medical staff put on their personal protective equipment (PPE) at an MOT testing centre in Belfast. (Getty)

The government has been accused of an “abject failure” over personal protective equipment (PPE) as new data has revealed more than half of doctors have had to source their own.

A survey of more than 16,000 doctors carried out by the British Medical Association (BMA) found that 48% reported having bought PPE directly or had a donation.

More than half, 55%, of GPs said they had been forced to do so, compared to 38% of hospital doctors.

BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said the numbers represented an "a damning indictment of the Government's abject failure” to keep NHS workers safe.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - MAY 03: PPE supplies arrive at Bournemouth Airport from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 03, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. The Airbus 340 bearing the livery "Thank you NHS" has landed in the UK with a cargo of PPE from Malaysia. Passenger jets as well as cargo planes are being used in order to "ramp up" imports of protective personal equipment. The Warrington-based firm, NHS supplier Crest Medical, is planning at least four more flights using passenger jets supplied by European Aviation. The Bournemouth company arranged for the plane to be specially painted with the NHS message. European Aviation founder Paul Stoddart said: "People may not realise how much goes on behind the scenes to acquire the PPE and then be able to transport it. To get permits through five countries, with places like Russia and China, they take time. You have also got logistical challenges of getting the equipment from the factory, through customs and to the aircraft. We are supporting the NHS and the government.” (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
PPE supplies arrive at Bournemouth Airport from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Getty)

"The survey shows that overall, there has been an improvement in the provision of PPE,” he said.

“But if almost half of all doctors report that they had to resort to purchasing PPE themselves or rely on donations, then there is still a lot for the Government to do to protect its frontline."

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Grant Shapps described the PPE shortage as a “global problem” on Sunday morning and said getting enough PPE has been "enormously challenging" for the government.

He also claimed more than one billion articles of protective equipment had now been delivered.

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - MAY 01: In this photo illustration, a home care agency receives their supply of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) on May 01, 2020 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
The government has been criticised for a lack of stockpiling of PPE. (Getty)

But Caroline Lucas, the leader of the Green Party, criticised Mr Shapps over his appearance on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show - accusing the government of “ignoring expert advice” on PPE.

“Note to #Marr - please stop allowing Grant Schapps to pretend it was reasonable for the Government not to stockpile gowns because they were preparing for a different kind of pandemic,” Ms Lucas tweeted.

“There’s clear evidence that the government ignored expert advice - again.”

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner tweeted: “Absolutely outrageous, they are working flat out protecting us in the #Coronavirus pandemic and yet they rely on donations or are having to buy their own PPE, no more excuses or prevaricating, they need PPE NOW!”

Labour MP Rachel Hopkins also said: “It’s totally unacceptable that our government is failing to ensure enough PPE is available to protect our doctors and health workers tackling #Coronavirus.”

The BMA study also found almost a third of doctors in England said they had not reported or spoken out about issues relating to PPE because they didn’t think anything would be done about it.

Asked how safely protected from coronavirus they felt at work, 65% said they felt only partly or not at all protected.

More than a quarter of doctors said they were suffering depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, emotional distress or other mental health conditions related to or made worse by work during this time.

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