Son of coronavirus NHS doc, 62, says dad died because of ‘lack of PPE’ after it was ‘taken off Covid ward
THE son of an NHS consultant who died of coronavirus has blamed his dad's death on a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) after it was taken from his ward.
Dr Peter Tun, 62 died in the intensive care unit of Royal Berkshire Hospital hospital in Reading on Monday after contracting Covid-19.
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The dad-of-two had worked as an associate specialist in neurorehabilitation at the hospital for more than 21 years.
His son, Michael Tun, said his dad told him he had complained when PPE was removed from his ward.
Dr Tun told his son a manager said PPE would be brought back if a patient tested positive, but Dr Tun warned that would be "too late".
Michael tweeted: "My dad Dr Peter Tun died from Covid-19 because of the lack of PPE.
"My hope in writing this is that it will save more doctors and nurses lives and avoid pain for their families.
PPE FURY
"My dad would have wanted to speak up if he thought it would save lives.
"The day he found out there was a positive for Covid-19 in his ward, dad told me that he had earlier complained to a manager bc they took PPE away from his ward to take somewhere else.
"He was told that if there was a case, they would bring it back. He replied it would be TOO LATE.
"The last he told me, there were 4 more positive patients with no symptoms. 2 weeks later, my dad passed away and I couldn't do anything."
Michael's mother is now in hospital waiting for the result of her Covid-19 test.
Michael's hearbreaking message comes as the government comes under growing pressure to ramp up distribution of PPE to frontline NHS staff and care workers.
Michael added: "Please do everything to protect the doctors and nurses.
"They go in scared and for their families.
"They did not get into the profession to die a hero in battle.
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"This is why he was a superhero to us. He was scared and still went in to help strangers completely knowing the risk."
Michael said his dad was scared he would infect his wife with the virus.
Distraught Michael said it "kills me" to think better PPE could have saved his dad.
But he praised the "heroes" treating patients with Covid0-19, with at least 40 NHS and care workers dying with the virus already.
Michael added: "The thought that if only he had a proper protective mask, he might still have been able to enjoy his hard earned retirement after a lifetime of service just kills me.
"I hope this won’t cause distress or take attention away from the need to help people but we need to also protect the people trying to protect us.
"We couldn’t protect my dad so I want to help protect everyone else who is in the same position that he was.
"Thank you for everything to all the heroes."
Dr Tun came to the UK from Burma in 1994, becoming an associate specialist in 2004.
His NHS colleagues have paid tribute to the "extraordinary" consultant after his death.
Dr Jonathan Mamo, who worked alongside Dr Tun in the hospital's neurorehabilitation unit, said: "Peter was like a father to all of us in our department in Reading.
"Despite being a calm and soft-spoken individual he always knew what to say and when to say it.
Dr Mamo added: "His desk is now empty and we all miss his extraordinary presence.
"To all of us on the neurorehabilitation unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital he wasn't just a colleague; he was a mentor, a father, and a friend."
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Professor Christine Collin, who worked with Dr Tun for 12 years, said he was an "unfailingly kind, caring and gentle" man who was "much loved and respected".
In a statement yesterday announcing Dr Tun's death, Steve McManus, chief executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The passing of Peter has sent a wave of grief throughout the entire organisation.
"Tributes have been pouring in from staff who have worked with Peter over the years and he will be sorely missed.
"On behalf of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we extend our sincere condolences to Peter's family, friends and colleagues."
A Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: "Our priority has always been to keep our staff safe and properly protected and we follow the strict national guidelines on the correct and appropriate use of PPE.
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"We carry out thorough training with staff so they know when and where to use the kit and our managers and Matrons make regular checks on the wards to make sure staff are properly kitted out for the duties they are performing.
"We will continue to work with Peter’s family regarding the circumstances of his death."
Sun Online contacted the Trust for comment.