Tooting MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan slams “irresponsible” Health Secretary Matt Hancock and insists coronavirus self-isolation period should be DOUBLED
By Sian Bayley, Local Democracy Reporter
An MP working in coronavirus-hit wards has slammed health secretary Matt Hancock for what she called an ‘irresponsible’ appearance on a televised daily briefing.
A&E doctor and Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan has been back on the front line to help patients at St George’s Hospital.
Tweeting during a quick break on her shift, the Labour MP insisted that the government should be recommending a longer self-isolation period than its current recommendation of seven days.
The government says those showing symptoms only need to self-isolate for seven days, while the World Health Organisation recommends 14 days.
But Dr Allin-Khan said it was “irresponsible” for Mr Hancock to be back presenting an in-person press briefing after testing positive for the virus last week.
Health Minister Nadine Dorries, who was the first MP to have a confirmed case of coronavirus, told Ms Allin-Khan that she was “absolutely wrong” and “should know the guidance backwards”.
She said: “Matt Hancock has followed the official guidance to the letter, feels fighting fit and has been working full-time throughout.”
Likewise the Department of Health tweeted: “Guidance from @CMO_England [The Chief Medical Officer] makes clear that if you have had symptoms of coronavirus, then you may end your self-isolation after seven days. The @WHO provides a framework which countries apply to their national circumstances.”
The Tooting MP replied: “Look, I’m halfway through a shift in my local A&E. But when I’ve got the Health Minister and the Department tweeting at me to defend the Govt without providing any reason why we’re not following the @WHO self-isolation guidance – it sends absolute alarm bells! Show me your proof!”
She later wrote: “That message comes from the front line. I’m literally treating people with Covid-19, not sitting at some desk tweeting from my living room. The @WHO say you can be infectious 14 days after symptoms stop, our Govt must change advice – urgently!”
Ms Allin-Khan has been calling for the government to change its advice on self-isolation for a number of days.
She has also called for more testing and protective equipment for front line staff, claiming that paramedics coming into St George’s hospital were only getting one set of protective equipment for a 12-hour shift in an interview with Sky News earlier in the week.
In response to Twitter trolls later on the evening, she added: “I’m on one of the most difficult shifts of my career.”