British Medical Association slams Premier League for buying PPE as frontline workers battle coronavirus
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THE British Medical Association has launched an attack on the Premier League for buying up so much PPE - as NHS workers battle the coronavirus on the frontline.
The chief doctors' union in the UK has told The that the English top flight should not be using testing equipment, masks and gloves until it has started to make more inroads in tackling the killer bug.
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BMA chiefs have said there must be an “adequate and consistent supply” of PPE right across the health service before supply moves to “non-essential sectors” such as professional sport.
But if Premier League chiefs are not able to carry out Covid-19 tests, footballers are sure to pull out of Project Restart, with PL games due to begin again on June 19.
It means the Government MUST make sure NHS supplies have adequate supplies on a daily basis - or the Prem's plan to get the remaining 92 matches played between now and the end of July will bite the dust.
Government guidance says: "If suitable PPE cannot be procured without taking away supply intended for key workers then the practice or work requiring the PPE should not take place.”
All 20 Premier League chairman will be addressed in a video conference on Monday when plans will be disclosed on how Project Restart will get off the ground.
The German Bundesliga returned to action yesterday with behind-closed-doors matches.
Last night, PL chiefs told the Telegraph they will not jeopardise the amount of PPE available to the NHS.
Doctors and nurses have bemoaned the lack of PPE in hospitals over the last two months - some even claiming they have bought some from DIY stores out of their own pocket - with the Government battling to increase the supply lines on a daily basis.
A BMA spokesman told the Telegraph: “The latest BMA survey results seem to show the supply chain situation is improving but there are still issues in some areas.
"It is important that these are resolved first, and adequate and consistent supply is available across the health service, before we consider non-essential sectors.”
A Royal College of Nursing survey this month found more than a third of nurses were caring for Covid-19 patients without adequate PPE.
Another fear is that when Premier League chiefs start buying PPE it will send the price of it rocketing sky high as demand escalates.
Professor Martin Green, the chief executive of Care England, said: “One of my members would spend £200,000 at this point in the year on PPE.
"Their bill is now at £2.7 million. The hike in price is phenomenal.
"We’ve seen some commodities go up in price by 800 per cent, for example, on things like masks etc.
"You’re competing against the world in order to access this supply.”
Premier League chiefs say they have spent £38,000 on PPE so far - and will plough on with matches even if stars test positive.
A spokesman added: “The Premier League will supply personal protective equipment to club medical staff to treat players requiring essential treatment.
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"This has been sourced from UK suppliers, is fully approved and will not compromise NHS stock."
The Government claim they have dispatched 1.27billion items of PPE to frontline NHS workers since the outbreak.
“Our efforts continue to focus on ensuring PPE reaches those fighting the virus on the frontline," a Government spokesman said.