MP criticises local GDP for offering to sell facemasks
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- Published: Monday, 27 April 2020 20:10
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A dentist has been criticised for selling surplus facemasks for £50 each. Toby Talbot, from the privately-run Talbot Clinic in Bath, has written to people living nearby to offer them a chance to buy FFP3 masks. Bath’s Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse said it was "disappointing" and any surplus equipment should be given to front-line NHS staff.
The BBC has reported that it has been unable to establish exactly which kind of masks he is offering for sale or what price they would normally be sold for. In a letter sent to residents, Mr Talbot said the availability of FFP3 masks to the general public will be severely rationed. "As a provider of healthcare services in Bath, we will be receiving a supply of FFP3 face masks next week," the letter said.
It added: "After we have supplied healthcare staff, we will have a surplus to offer our immediate neighbours who need to venture outdoors. We would like to offer our neighbours the opportunity to have these masks for their own personal protection as well as members of the household, at £50 per mask."
MP Wera Hobhouse said: "It is very disappointing to see a private company selling masks to neighbouring households within our community when we know there is an ongoing shortage of PPE for key workers. I would encourage any company that finds themselves with a surplus of this equipment to donate it to front-line staff so that they can be fully protected as they are exposed to the virus."
Surplus FFP3 masks
Whilst I think it was rather crass for a GDP to offer to sell surplus masks to his neighbours, I would disagree with Wera Hobhouse that surplus PPE should be "donated" to the NHS.When practices are able to resume work, they will need PPE - and that will be at a time it might be hard to obtain. Then they will rue the fact they gave it away.
If they do feel they have more than they need, there is no problem selling it on to the NHS for the price they paid.
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