A 27-year old expecting doctor who had recently protested outside the downing street over government’s mishandling of coronavirus is now legally challenging the government over its advice on Personal Protective Equipment.
Dr Meenal Viz is six months into her pregnancy and along with her husband Dr Nishant Joshi, is arguing that the NHS recommendations breach international standards set by the World Health Organisation Organization (WHO) besides the domestic legislation on health and safety at work.
Last week, NHS had asked medics to work without protective full-length gowns and instead use aprons as an alternate while treating Covid-19 patients.
In a statement to The Guardian, the couple said, Joshi and Viz added: “It is the government’s duty to protect its healthcare workers, and there is great anxiety amongst staff with regards to safety protocols that seem to change without rhyme or reason. Every time a healthcare worker becomes hospitalised with Covid-19, it exacts an extraordinary toll on our friends, family and colleagues.
“To sedate and ventilate your own colleague takes a mental toll on the entire workforce. The government owes an apology to these bereaved families, many of whom were unable to be with their loved ones in their dying moments.”
The challenge states that healthcare workers are being exposed to a greater risk of contracting Covid-19 and maintains that the guidance fails to address the heightened risks faced by BAME healthcare workers.
The letter also argues the guidance is unclear, has resulted in inconsistent practices across NHS trusts and fails to make clear that healthcare workers have a right to refuse to work without adequate PPE.
Basmah Sahib, a solicitor at the London law firm Bindmans, acting on behalf of the couple, has sent Public Health England and the Department of Health and Social Care a formal letter before action seeking a response by next Monday.
