MPs send letter to health secretary demanding PPE for therapeutic radiographers

"Patients demanding clinicians wear PPE"

Published: 02 April 2020 Radiotherapy

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Radiotherapy (APPG) has written to the Secretary of State for Health urging him to prioritise the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). 

In the letter, the MPs say they have received reports that ‘patients are now demanding that clinicians wear PPE’ and expressed concern that 'some radiotherapy centres have no PPE and little priority has been given to this work force and patient group’.

Chair of the APPG, Tim Farron MP said, “This is a particularly worrying time for cancer patients and the radiotherapy professionals who treat them. 

"The need for a proper supply of PPE is clear. Both clinicians and patients are at unacceptable risk without it."

Charlotte Beardmore, the Society's director for professional policy, warmly welcomed the APPG's intervention.

"Therapeutic radiographers have been saying since the Covid-19 national emergency started that they needed effective PPE to protect patients and themselves against the risk of infection.

"It is critical for patients that we protect them as much as we can. Our members must be looked after too because if they are having to self-isolate because of infection, patient care will suffer."