The following issues were raised with Fenella Wrigley, the LAS Board, Consultant Paramedic, Public Health England and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives. See also Guardian article below.
Questions to: Dr. Fenella Wrigley, Medical Director, London Ambulance Service,
From: Malcolm Alexander, Chair, Patients' Forum Ambulance Services London.
I have been contacted today by several front-line staff members, who are concerned about safety aspects of their care for patients who are infected or potentially infected with Covid-19.
The following issues have been raised with me:
1) Over last few days there has been a lack of necessary cleaning supplies and protective equipment for staff.
2) Some crews were today told that despite not having appropriate equipment that they should visit patients who might be infected with Covid-19.
3) That there is a serious shortage of infection control wipes, aprons & appropriate masks (no FFP3 masks for some crews).
4) Staff feel that they are being asked to attend patients without adequate protection.
5) Staff members told me that they are frightened about passing on virus or contracting it because of a lack of appropriate protection - putting
themselves and the public at risk.
6) Some staff are worried about the impact on their employment with the LAS if they refuse to attend patients, because they don’t have the right
equipment.
7) Advice from PHE has not been made available to front line staff.
8) Staff have asked to have samples taken at local hospitals if they feel that they have come into contact with a Covid-19 patient, but have not yet
received assurances on this issue.
9) Gold met today and staff are awaiting the outcome of this meeting in relation to the points above.
Questions to: Dr. Fenella Wrigley, Medical Director, London Ambulance Service,
From: Malcolm Alexander, Chair, Patients' Forum Ambulance Services London.
I have been contacted today by several front-line staff members, who are concerned about safety aspects of their care for patients who are infected or potentially infected with Covid-19.
The following issues have been raised with me:
1) Over last few days there has been a lack of necessary cleaning supplies and protective equipment for staff.
2) Some crews were today told that despite not having appropriate equipment that they should visit patients who might be infected with Covid-19.
3) That there is a serious shortage of infection control wipes, aprons & appropriate masks (no FFP3 masks for some crews).
4) Staff feel that they are being asked to attend patients without adequate protection.
5) Staff members told me that they are frightened about passing on virus or contracting it because of a lack of appropriate protection - putting
themselves and the public at risk.
6) Some staff are worried about the impact on their employment with the LAS if they refuse to attend patients, because they don’t have the right
equipment.
7) Advice from PHE has not been made available to front line staff.
8) Staff have asked to have samples taken at local hospitals if they feel that they have come into contact with a Covid-19 patient, but have not yet
received assurances on this issue.
9) Gold met today and staff are awaiting the outcome of this meeting in relation to the points above.
LONDON PARAMEDICS RATIONED TO ONE FACE MASK BETWEEN TWO
NHS says there are enough masks, but distribution issues have led to shortage
Crew members without masks were told by London Ambulance to stand two metres away from the patient if possible. Paramedics attending people who could be infected with the Coronavirus were told only one person in each team of two could wear a face mask, with the other instructed to stand two metres away from the patient if “clinically appropriate”.
The message was sent from Controllers to London Ambulance Service (LAS) crews at 3am on Tuesday, prompting Paramedics to question why they were ordered to ration face masks. A directive sent to Ambulance Terminals said that “due to high call demand there is a request for crew to utilise 1x mask whilst stock is mobilised to sites.” It went on: “The attending clinician to wear a mask and the remaining clinician to stand 2 metres from the patient where clinically appropriate.”
The LAS said it was trying to preserve protective equipment. In a private Facebook group where the issue was raised, an LAS Gold Group (strategic operations) spokesperson said the policy was in place to conserve equipment.
Doctors and nurses have warned that front-line NHS staff are at risk of dying after protective gear requirements for health workers treating those infected with Covid-19 were downgraded last week, while shortages appear to be widespread across the health service amid massively increased demand. NHS England’s Chief Operating Officer, Amanda Pritchard, on Tuesday accepted there had been distribution issues that meant protective equipment such as face masks, goggles and aprons were not in the right place across the health service.
The LAS Gold Group spokesperson said: “For our patients that are clinically stable only using 1 set of PPE will help preserve stock. This is for CoV ‘possible’ (the vast majority). Hope that helps. Thank you for all your help and understanding.” An LAS spokesperson told the Guardian that PPE guidance was constantly under review. “We have sufficient stocks of protective equipment, including face masks, but are taking all sensible steps to secure stock as well as ensure we preserve supplies where possible.”
Meanwhile, the GMB union, which represents ambulance workers, said crews arrived for their shifts on Tuesday to find insufficient supplies of hand sanitisers, face masks and wipes in their vehicles. “Ambulance trusts are desperately trying to get equipment to their staff but not enough is coming through the supply chain,” said Jason Dicker, a paramedic on the south-east coast and local GMB branch secretary.
“There’s a reason why an ambulance crew is an ambulance crew, my crew mate needs to be right beside me. It’s highly unacceptable and dangerous for us to be separated due to equipment shortages.” The NHS stressed there were sufficient supplies of equipment but conceded there had been distribution issues. “We have been assured that there is sufficient supply available nationally,” Pritchard told MPs during a health and social care committee meeting.
“We have had the benefit of being able to release our influenza stockpile and our EU exit stockpile, so nationally we are currently assured that we do have the adequate supply we need.
“However, we are aware that there have been some local distribution problems so we haven’t necessarily got the kit in the right place.”
NHS says there are enough masks, but distribution issues have led to shortage
Crew members without masks were told by London Ambulance to stand two metres away from the patient if possible. Paramedics attending people who could be infected with the Coronavirus were told only one person in each team of two could wear a face mask, with the other instructed to stand two metres away from the patient if “clinically appropriate”.
The message was sent from Controllers to London Ambulance Service (LAS) crews at 3am on Tuesday, prompting Paramedics to question why they were ordered to ration face masks. A directive sent to Ambulance Terminals said that “due to high call demand there is a request for crew to utilise 1x mask whilst stock is mobilised to sites.” It went on: “The attending clinician to wear a mask and the remaining clinician to stand 2 metres from the patient where clinically appropriate.”
The LAS said it was trying to preserve protective equipment. In a private Facebook group where the issue was raised, an LAS Gold Group (strategic operations) spokesperson said the policy was in place to conserve equipment.
Doctors and nurses have warned that front-line NHS staff are at risk of dying after protective gear requirements for health workers treating those infected with Covid-19 were downgraded last week, while shortages appear to be widespread across the health service amid massively increased demand. NHS England’s Chief Operating Officer, Amanda Pritchard, on Tuesday accepted there had been distribution issues that meant protective equipment such as face masks, goggles and aprons were not in the right place across the health service.
The LAS Gold Group spokesperson said: “For our patients that are clinically stable only using 1 set of PPE will help preserve stock. This is for CoV ‘possible’ (the vast majority). Hope that helps. Thank you for all your help and understanding.” An LAS spokesperson told the Guardian that PPE guidance was constantly under review. “We have sufficient stocks of protective equipment, including face masks, but are taking all sensible steps to secure stock as well as ensure we preserve supplies where possible.”
Meanwhile, the GMB union, which represents ambulance workers, said crews arrived for their shifts on Tuesday to find insufficient supplies of hand sanitisers, face masks and wipes in their vehicles. “Ambulance trusts are desperately trying to get equipment to their staff but not enough is coming through the supply chain,” said Jason Dicker, a paramedic on the south-east coast and local GMB branch secretary.
“There’s a reason why an ambulance crew is an ambulance crew, my crew mate needs to be right beside me. It’s highly unacceptable and dangerous for us to be separated due to equipment shortages.” The NHS stressed there were sufficient supplies of equipment but conceded there had been distribution issues. “We have been assured that there is sufficient supply available nationally,” Pritchard told MPs during a health and social care committee meeting.
“We have had the benefit of being able to release our influenza stockpile and our EU exit stockpile, so nationally we are currently assured that we do have the adequate supply we need.
“However, we are aware that there have been some local distribution problems so we haven’t necessarily got the kit in the right place.”
PRESS RELEASE - 11 MARCH 2020
OUTSTANDING EDUCATION CENTRE COLLABORATION ENDED BY THE LAS!
8 pages
A highly innovative education project between the LAS and the Patients' Forum has been abandoned by the LAS without notice to the participants.
OUTSTANDING EDUCATION CENTRE COLLABORATION ENDED BY THE LAS!
8 pages
A highly innovative education project between the LAS and the Patients' Forum has been abandoned by the LAS without notice to the participants.
QUALITY ACCOUNT STATEMENT, LONDON AMBULANCE SERVICE - 2020
REMEMBERING CAROLINE FLACK
REMEMBERING CAROLINE FLACK
- A Patient Describes her Experiences of Emergency Care
- Next Steps for the LAS - Providing right care first time to prevent suicide and self-harm
THE STATE OF THE LAS - A TRADE UNION PERSPECTIVE
Mark Belkin - LAS UNISON, Branch Education Officer
MONDAY - 09 MARCH 2020 -5.30pm - 7.30pm
SOUTH WING COMMITTEE ROOM, ST. THOMAS' HOSPITAL, WESTMINSTER BRIDGE ROAD, LONDON, SE1
Nearest Tube: Waterloo ... British Rail: Waterloo ...
Buses: 1, 4, 26, 77, 68, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 507, 243, 341, 381, 507, 521
The Agenda can be found here ...
Directions within the Hospital can be found at the base of the Agenda and/or here ...
Mark Belkin - LAS UNISON, Branch Education Officer
MONDAY - 09 MARCH 2020 -5.30pm - 7.30pm
SOUTH WING COMMITTEE ROOM, ST. THOMAS' HOSPITAL, WESTMINSTER BRIDGE ROAD, LONDON, SE1
Nearest Tube: Waterloo ... British Rail: Waterloo ...
Buses: 1, 4, 26, 77, 68, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 507, 243, 341, 381, 507, 521
The Agenda can be found here ...
Directions within the Hospital can be found at the base of the Agenda and/or here ...
INVITATION TO ATTEND 'SEIZURE FIRST AID ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION - IS FIVE MINUTES TOO LONG TO WAIT?'
Friday, 20 March 2020 - 10.30am - 3.00pm
The Epilepsey Society Research Centre, Chesham Lane, Chalfont St. Peter, Buckinghamshire, SL9 0RJ
Invitation from: Nicola Swanborough - Acting Head of External Affairs, Epilepsy Society
Friday, 20 March 2020 - 10.30am - 3.00pm
The Epilepsey Society Research Centre, Chesham Lane, Chalfont St. Peter, Buckinghamshire, SL9 0RJ
Invitation from: Nicola Swanborough - Acting Head of External Affairs, Epilepsy Society
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MEETINGS OF THE PATIENTS' FORUM - UPDATE FOR MEMBERS
06 February 2020 ... 1 page |
Click to download ... 6 pages
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CO-PRODUCTION CHARTER FOR URGENT AND EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICES IN LONDON
17 October 2019 ... 6 pages This Charter was agreed with the Chief Quality Officer of the LAS, Trisha Bain, on 17 October 2019 in a Meeting attended by Joseph Healy, PFASL and Malcolm Alexander. Chair, PFASL. |
Click to download ... 2 pages
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Click to download ... 5 pages
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FORMAL COMPLAINT TO THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER REGARDING BREACHES OF THE FOI ACT BY THE LAS
Letters from Malcolm Alexander, Chair, Patients' Forum for the LAS 16 December, 2019 1. To Garrett Emmerson, Chief Executive, London Ambulance Service. 2. To Richard Cotton, Case Officer, Information Commissioner's Office. |
