AMA (NSW) President says: “Stay home means stay home.”
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March 26, 2020AMA (NSW) President, Dr Kean-Seng Lim, is calling for state and federal authorities to get organised on the acquisition and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Doctors, health workers, and the public at large are all anxious about the need for PPE, what type is necessary and what is available.
“Politicians and health authorities are talking about gathering large numbers of surgical masks, for instance, but detail is lacking on what type they are and, extremely importantly, how they will be distributed.
“We need transparency on how much PPE is available and guidelines for its rational use.
“We need to be able to tell people about the reasoning behind why PPE is being distributed the way it is.
“How, after considering the evidence, the plan that’s been developed is the safest and fairest possible.
“If there isn’t enough to meet demand, we need to know, so that so we can best put the resources we do have to use to protect people at highest risk.
“We also need this transparency so we can formulate plans to reduce risk to other groups who might not have access to PPE, if it comes to that.
“AMA (NSW) has been calling for politicians to get out of the way of Chief Health Officers and allow them to give evidence-based advice to the public, without the interference of politicking.
“The performance of State and Federal leaders on Sunday night was a poor example of what I mean when we say that.
“We need consistent messaging from all levels of government and for it to be from trustworthy sources,” Dr Lim said.
Media contact: Lachlan Jones 0419 402 955