Coronavirus: Vital UK protective equipment flown in from Turkey impounded

Some 400,000 protective gowns brought in by the military failed to meet safety standards

The shipment from Turkey was delayed because of red tape. DHA via AP

About 400,000 protective gowns flown in from Turkey last month that were heralded as potential life savers for the UK’s embattled medical workers have failed to meet safety standards, it has emerged.

As fears rapidly grew that frontline health workers lacked personal protective equipment (PPE) as coronavirus cases soared in the UK, military planes were dispatched to fly back the equipment from Turkey in April.

However, the PPE is now languishing in a facility in southern England after being deemed unusable. It adds another damaging chapter to the saga after there were numerous delays in the delivery of the kit.

It was hoped the kit would be quickly dispersed to frontline health workers, many of whom have complained they lack the necessary PPE. A senior minister said it was “reassuring” there were such strict safety standards. The health ministry said it was committed to ensuring all protective equipment met quality standards, with those that don’t not sent to frontline staff.

The news was first reported by the Daily Telegraph.

More than 30,000 people who tested positive for Covid-19 in the UK have died - the most in Europe – with at least 125 health workers among those to pass away.

Brandon Lewis, the minister for Northern Ireland, said it was crucial the PPE was of the right standards for frontline health workers.

“I think it’s reassuring that our experts are very focused in ensuring that we have the best quality equipment,” he told BBC Breakfast.

“I think it is right that our experts take a view of what they believe is the right quality and where it’s not of the right quality they’ve taken the decision that it’s not appropriate for our frontline staff to use it,” he added.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “This is a global pandemic with many countries procuring PPE, leading to shortages around the world, not just the UK.

“We are working night and day to source PPE internationally and domestically, and brought together the NHS, industry and the armed forces to create a comprehensive PPE distribution network to deliver critical supplies to the frontline.

“All deliveries of PPE are checked to ensure the equipment meets the safety and quality standards our frontline staff need. If equipment does not meet our specifications or pass our quality assurance processes, it is not distributed to the front line.”