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It's becoming clear the UK government is failing to ensure that frontline medics have adequate protective equipment when treating patients with Covid19. This is a human rights issue [thread] https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain/doctors-criticise-uk-government-over-coronavirus-protection-shortages-idUKKBN2200DT?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews
Right to health requires states to ensure sufficient quantity of medical provisions.
Right to health also includes responsibility to ensure sick can be treated (which in case of Covid19 requires medics to have protective equipment in order to protect their own health)
Right to health also includes responsibility to ensure sick can be treated (which in case of Covid19 requires medics to have protective equipment in order to protect their own health)
There are also serious concerns about shortages of protective equipment in care homes in the UK. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/16/care-homes-running-ppe-leaked-letter-calls-government-handling/
Two weeks ago, a doctors' group said medics were being pressured not to speak out about shortages https://twitter.com/Benjamin_P_Ward/status/1245259837186899969?s=20
So it is right that the government's record is being scrutinised by the UK Parliament. Its health committee had virtual hearing yesterday questioning health minister and others.
Right too that media is asking tough questions and holding the government to account https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/17/nhs-staff-to-be-asked-to-treat-coronavirus-patients-without-gowns
And human rights groups are shining an important spotlight on the issue https://twitter.com/AmnestyUK/status/1251192672213250048?s=20
The UK government faces major challenges in responding to Covid19. That cannot obscure its duty to protect the rights of the health workers on whom all of us depend.
Devastating details in today’s @thesundaytimes about the UK state’s failings around protective equipment for frontline medics https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-38-days-when-britain-sleepwalked-into-disaster-hq3b9tlgh
Some positive news this morning https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1252114775472959488?s=20
Here's why the issue matters...a nurses' group @NursingNotesUK reported today that at least 100 health workers have died from Covid19. https://nursingnotes.co.uk/news/workforce/health-social-care-workers-died-covid/
How does issue of protective equipment for medics relate to state responsibility to protect the right to life? This blog post is useful, including on duty to investigate deaths when state is involved https://twitter.com/ukcla/status/1252507647011627008?s=20
Media reporting that the UK government missed opportunities to acquire protective face masks for medics. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/apr/21/government-misses-out-on-14m-facemasks-for-nhs-in-four-weeks
Important to remember that access to personal protective equipment (PPE) is also vital for people working in the care sector. This thread from a @BBCNewsnight journalist is very useful. https://twitter.com/lewis_goodall/status/1253435924840660992?s=20
