David Oliver: Lack of PPE betrays NHS clinical staff

The failure to provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) health and social care workers during the pandemic has highlighted disintegration of any culture integrity, transparency, honesty, support for healthcare staff from government NHS employers. I have reported in BMJ this week on trusts’ behaviour around supply PPE their clinical responses when complained.1 Of 66 trusts (of 130 approached) that replied my freedom information request, only two confirmed they had explicitly restricted use, warned about its overuse, or them over complaining shortages. Only one trust admitted being subject investigation Health Safety Executive covid related deaths among staff, even though HSE a number investigations. In response, Department Social Care (DHSC) pointed me sections National Audit Office report suggesting lines always been no members put at risk.2 England told …