In April several MSM outlets were dire warnings of shortages of personal protective equipment for health workers. Government ministers then publicised the imminent arrival from Turkey, aboard a fleet of RAF cargo planes, a “very significant” shipment of PPE was brought in from Turkey.
However, a fortnight later it has emerged that ALL of the 400,000 protective gowns that arrived in the UK has been impounded as a result of not conforming to UK standards. The Department for Health and Social Care stated on Wednesday that the items are being held in a facility near Heathrow airport. UNN’s Oliver Down understands that these items are due to be sent back and that the DHSC intends to seek a refund.
Robert Jenrick, on 18th of April announced that this shipment was incoming. He stated that healthcare workers should be “assured that we are doing everything we can to correct this issue”, saying they would have the equipment they “need and deserve”. It is understood that Mr Jenrick was advised against publicising the shipment in case it backfired but was overruled.
The consignment did not arrive on time as promised, this delay then led to hospital leaders attacking the government, essentially for the first time during the pandemic. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman has said: “This is a global pandemic with many countries procuring PPE, leading to shortages around the world, not just the UK. We are working night and day to source PPE internationally and domestically, and brought together the NHS, industry and the armed forces to create a comprehensive PPE distribution network to deliver critical supplies to the frontline. All deliveries of PPE are checked to ensure the equipment meets the safety and quality standards our frontline staff need. If equipment does not meet our specifications or pass our quality assurance processes, it is not distributed to the front line”.
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Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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