A doctor and a mother of two with two months left to live due to asbestos-related mesothelioma has spoken about a hidden asbestos epidemic amongst NHS staff and patients, as hospital management has failed to deal with the deadly material responsibly.
According to findings by The Independent, there have been at least thirteen NHS breaches of regulation for handling asbestos since 2010, which have resulted in prosecutions. 381 claims for compensation have been made by NHS staff for work-related diseases which include asbestos exposure since 2013, which have ended up costing the service upwards of £26M.
Data from the Health and Safety Executive reveals that between 2011 and 2017, 128 staffers in health and social care died due to mesothelioma.
Kate Richmond, the doctor who spoke out about the state of management attitudes towards asbestos, believes that the situation is far worse than it currently seems, due to decades it takes for asbestos fibres to affect the body.
Between 1998-2004, Kate was regularly exposed to asbestos through maintenance work taking place on wards, as well as passing by asbestos-coated pipes in underground service tunnels whilst working at the old Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry.
Twenty former staff and workmen at the hospital provided evidence that corroborated this story, and a court ruling determined that there had been “serious and repeated failings”. it may be several months before a compensation settlement is made.
“The trust knew about it and they chose to do nothing. It is terrifying. I have become sick relatively early, but there are lots of other people who I worked with who could be affected in the future. I really wanted to make things easier for them. I felt I had a duty to my colleagues. I am far from unique, this is the tip of the iceberg. I strongly believe there is a hidden epidemic.”
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and is almost always fatal, and is believed to cause around 5,000 deaths a year. Hospitals built between 1950-1980 may contain the fibrous material, and removal is subject to strict procedures.
NHS Providers is currently looking to the Government to launch a major investment programme to help deal with the deterioration and safely remove asbestos from older NHS buildings.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
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Article by Stuart Jones
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