** UK EMS union accuses service of not alerting them to potential coronavirus calls
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** The EMS union representing members working for the East of England Ambulance Service is crying foul, saying dispatchers are failing to notify medics when calls involve potential coronavirus patients. That is the word from EDP 24 (Tom Bristow/March 16) which quoted Unison rep Jeff Pittman as saying the failure is contrary to current NHS England guidelines. According to the newspaper, Pittman said several crews have responded to potential coronavirus calls without proper personal protective equipment because of the info vacuum. He  also said medics are not being given adequate  instruction on how to deal with the virus. Service chief operating officer Marcus Bailey, however, disputed the allegation. Bailey said call centres were following proper procedure and national guidance on the issue to ensure the welfare and safety of EMS staff.
