(Source: BBC News)
Some NHS managers have tried to stop doctors speaking publicly about shortages of personal protective equipment, the BBC has been told. WhistleblowersUK said more than 100 healthcare workers had contacted them since the beginning of March, raising concerns about Covid-19 and PPE.
The Department of Health said no one should be prevented from speaking up. But Newsnight has seen evidence of pressure being applied to doctors to not share concerns they have about PPE.
A newsletter sent out to staff at one trust suggested subjects for tweets, such as thanking staff for their hard work, paying tribute to retired NHS staff who had returned to the workforce and retweeting posts from the trust's account.
It specified that staff were to avoid "commenting on political issues, such as PPE". Another trust put up posters in hospital staff areas which told healthcare workers not to "make public appeals for equipment, donations or volunteers".
