The government yesterday said a "very large consignment" of personal protective equipment (PPE) would reach the UK today, but it has now emerged that this will not happen
A shipment of vital PPE equipment for frontline NHS staff will not arrive today - in spite of a government pledge.
It is not yet known what caused the delay of 84 tonnes of protective gear from Turkey, Sky News reports.
The Royal Air Force was claimed to be ready to transport the equipment.
The government is under huge pressure following widespread shortages across the NHS, and today's shipment was expected to provide enough equipment to last three days.
NHS medics have used aprons, bin bags and hospital gowns meant for patients to cobble together makeshift protective wear as they grapple with a nationwide PPE shortage.
Reports say the NHS is currently using 150,000 gowns a day - meaning the 400,000 Housing and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced yesterday will last an estimated three days.
He said in yesterday's press briefing that "a very large consignment" of personal protective equipment (PPE) - including 400,000 gowns - is due to arrive in the UK from Turkey.
It comes as some businesses say they have volunteered to supply PPE to the government but claim they have not been taken up on their offers.
Earlier today cabinet member Michael Gove confirmed that the UK had sent large amounts of PPE to China earlier this year.
"But, I think it's important to stress two things there as well
"The first thing is that the personal protection equipment that we sent to China was to help with the most extreme outbreak in Wuhan.
"That personal protection equipment was not from our pandemic stock.
"And, also we have received far more from China in personal protective equipment than we have given."
Comments
Post a Comment