A letter sent today from the Society to the Secretary of State for Health has asked for an explanation about what is being done to alleviate the "chronic shortage" of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Covid-19 tests for staff.
The SoR's director of industrial strategy and member relations, Dean Rogers, says in the correspondence, "The shortage of PPE seems to be especially acute in some parts of the country, but concerns are coming to us from all parts of the UK.
"Our members are hugely frustrated and angry that poor planning has evidently contributed to the increased risk to staff and therefore patients. To be told that there are enough PPE in the system but that these are not in the right places is unacceptable and indefensible – especially given that government knew this crisis was a looming possibility before the start of this year.
"PPE for staff should never be an afterthought - the impression of many of our members."
He advises Matt Hancock that "we are advising our members not to carry out procedures without the required PPE in line with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and your own standard guidance. We cannot allow our members to be put at risk and indeed if suitable PPE is not provided infection rates of health service workers will increase leading to a depleted workforce."
About the lack of Covid-19 testing, Dean says, "We’re particularly dismayed by stories of some trusts and boards saying that radiographers are not 'frontline' and limiting this description to direct medical staff. This is both insulting to our members and deeply counter-productive at this time."