In the cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report ‘COVID-19: Government procurement and supply of Personal Protective Equipment’, the PAC has raised concern about the experiences of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) staff who were more likely to report being affected by PPE shortages and feel pressured to work without adequate protection. They said: ‘A third of BAME doctors reported experiencing PPE shortages compared with 14% of white doctors, Similarly, almost half of BAME nurses said that they had not been fit tested for respirator masks compared with 74% of white nurses’ The PAC noted that the DHSC “does not know enough about the experience of frontline staff, particularly BAME staff” and has asked the government to consider the ‘extent to which (and reasons why) BAME staff were less likely to report having access to PPE and being tested for PPE, and more likely to report feeling pressured to work without adequate PPE.’ Frontline workers left “risking lives to provide treatment and care” – Committees – UK Parliament
Have your say -Nursing Narratives: Racism and the Pandemic are collecting the experiences of Black and Asian nurses, midwives, health care assistants, allied health professionals and carers. Please get in touch with us to tell us your experiences of the Pandemic and answer our 5 minute survey https://t.co/n7WFvzopZZ?amp=1