AlaskaDenise
In Memoriam
By GRAEME WILSON
Deputy Political Editor
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<!-- END: m003 Rig Teaser --><!-- BEGIN: Module - Main Article --><!--Display article with page breaks --><ROOTTAG>BRITAIN is dangerously exposed to a global flu pandemic because ministers have not bought life-saving face masks for NHS staff, it was claimed last night.
The Government has not acted despite pledging to start buying them for doctors and nurses TWO YEARS ago.
Meanwhile countries like America, Australia and France have stockpiled tens of millions.
The Tories last night accused ministers of taking risks with the lives of thousands of health workers.
Fear ... bird flu virus
Experts fear a deadly worldwide outbreak of influenza is imminent.
With bird flu a growing threat, they say there is up to a 60 per cent chance of a pandemic within the next five years.
The Department of Health has said a global outbreak could lead to between 50,000 and 750,000 people dying in this country.
Masks are vital in protecting doctors and nurses treating flu victims ? and preventing it spreading between patients.
In 2005, then Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt told MPs she was ?taking steps? to make sure there were enough masks for the NHS.
Last year the Government said it was still considering how to buy and stockpile them. But health minister Dawn Primarolo admitted recently: ?No decision has been taken whether to procure and stockpile face masks centrally.?
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the US has stockpiled at least 152 million masks, Australia has 42 million and France has ordered 200 million.
Mr Lansley said he was alarmed that ministers had failed to act.
He added: ?Other countries have millions of masks but we haven?t anything like enough to cope with a pandemic. After two years of delays, ministers need to take decisions now.
?This kind of bureaucratic delay and indecision is unacceptable. It is vital our doctors and nurses have enough face masks if there is a flu pandemic.
Ministers must not take risks with people?s lives.?
The Department of Health dismissed the criticism last night. A spokesman said: ?NHS hospitals around the country already have a supply of protective equipment. The department is considering whether to centrally purchase and stockpile additional supplies of respirators and face masks for health workers. A decision will be reached as soon as possible.?
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article370665.ece
Deputy Political Editor
<!-- NB: This is a variation of M002 without an image or author--><!-- The entire DIV surrounding the image has been removed --><!-- The first two paragraphs with class author have been removed --><!-- BEGIN: M002 Author Details v2 -->Published: Today
<!-- END: M002 Author Details v2 -->
<!-- BEGIN: m003 Rig Teaser --><!-- Evaluate conditions for RIG teaser --><!-- Check if RIG teaser is true --><!-- Start: m003 Rig Teaser -->
<!-- END: m003 Rig Teaser --><!-- BEGIN: Module - Main Article --><!--Display article with page breaks --><ROOTTAG>BRITAIN is dangerously exposed to a global flu pandemic because ministers have not bought life-saving face masks for NHS staff, it was claimed last night.
The Government has not acted despite pledging to start buying them for doctors and nurses TWO YEARS ago.
Meanwhile countries like America, Australia and France have stockpiled tens of millions.
The Tories last night accused ministers of taking risks with the lives of thousands of health workers.
Experts fear a deadly worldwide outbreak of influenza is imminent.
With bird flu a growing threat, they say there is up to a 60 per cent chance of a pandemic within the next five years.
The Department of Health has said a global outbreak could lead to between 50,000 and 750,000 people dying in this country.
Masks are vital in protecting doctors and nurses treating flu victims ? and preventing it spreading between patients.
In 2005, then Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt told MPs she was ?taking steps? to make sure there were enough masks for the NHS.
Last year the Government said it was still considering how to buy and stockpile them. But health minister Dawn Primarolo admitted recently: ?No decision has been taken whether to procure and stockpile face masks centrally.?
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the US has stockpiled at least 152 million masks, Australia has 42 million and France has ordered 200 million.
Mr Lansley said he was alarmed that ministers had failed to act.
He added: ?Other countries have millions of masks but we haven?t anything like enough to cope with a pandemic. After two years of delays, ministers need to take decisions now.
?This kind of bureaucratic delay and indecision is unacceptable. It is vital our doctors and nurses have enough face masks if there is a flu pandemic.
Ministers must not take risks with people?s lives.?
The Department of Health dismissed the criticism last night. A spokesman said: ?NHS hospitals around the country already have a supply of protective equipment. The department is considering whether to centrally purchase and stockpile additional supplies of respirators and face masks for health workers. A decision will be reached as soon as possible.?
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article370665.ece