The U.K. Department of Health is now facing criticism after reports confirmed that it spent more on buying iPhones than it did defibrillators. Some officials think the DOH has misused its authority since it chose to give an alarming number of iOS smartphones to Whitehall staff.
Reportedly, U.K. health ministers spent over $1.8 million buying Apple smartphones to the tune of 1,570 iPhone 13s and 650 iPhone SEs. On the other hand, DOH only spent roughly $1 million on defibrillators.
UK DOH Has More Budget for iPhones Than Defibrillators
According to Mirror UK's latest report, the budget distribution of DOH for defibrillators and iPhones is criticized by Labour Shadow Atty. Emily Anne Thornberry.
"You have to question not just the misplaced priorities but the warped mentality of ministers at the Department of Health," she said.
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Thornberry added that DOH should be criticized when they are willing to spend more just to buy the latest iPhones instead of investing in defibrillators for local communities.
On the other hand, a spokesperson of the Department of Health defended their budget strategy, saying that Whitehall staff should have the appropriate tools and resources for their jobs.
The official added that the iPhone 13 and iPhone SE units are meant to replace the older iPhones used by Whitehall staff since Apple can no longer update them, which can lead to cybersecurity risks.
Why are defibrillators important?
NIH explained that defibrillators are devices that can restore a person's normal heartbeat and are commonly used to prevent arrhythmia, especially when it's life-threatening.
What makes defibrillators even more crucial is that even untrained individuals can use them during emergencies. This is why the budget distribution of DOH is being criticized.
If you want to learn more about the importance of defibrillators, the diffent types of defibrillators, and other details, you can visit this link.
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