No Masks at A&E for Junior Doctors!

[MadDad1]

DC is a junior doctor on A&E.

First query Covid 19 patient tonight.

DC has not been given a face mask and none are available.

Apparently they have to be specially fitted and there isn't the money or resources to do this. There is one hazmat suit and that is being used by the consultant!

Are they trying to do this on the cheap and putting lives at risk!

Must say, as a Dad, I'm worried sick.

Should be wearing standard surgical mask for suspected (not confirmed) infection unless aerosol generating procedures (e.g. intubation)

We can only use the FFP masks once CV19 has been confirmed, suspected cases it's normal facemasks which don't have the same level of protection - however there aren't enough of the correct ones (I believe we wear the FFP ones for intubation)

There are no surgical masks. All have been used - there is a shortage.

Hospital has had to put a watch on all supplies as even the hand sanitising gel has been nicked.

Trying to get DC to get their union involved. This is madness.

It is madness. We need front-line staff alive and uninfected. :-(

DC has been on the phone. Consultants are refusing to issue even basic masks.

This needs to be on the news to get something done about it.

How awful, so sorry to hear your dc exposed to this.

It did come up in the select committee hearing in Westminster today. Jeremy Hunt was asking NHS chief when exactly the masks would arrive in hospitals. Chief was saying they have lots but the delay was in distribution. I will see if I can find a link to transcript.

Transcript not yet online but it was this hearing

committees.parliament.uk/event/364/formal-meeting/

Are there masks available anywhere? I would willingly buy some for NHS workers and I’m sure others would contribute too.

Ah, okay - cross posts

Sadly the NHS does not have the equipment and is no where near prepared. I’m a community nurse and expected to visit self-isolated people still without any PPE. Then go on to the next house.

It’s completely bonkers. It’s as if they did have several weeks warning that this was heading our way!

Didn’t!!