A consultant in the NHS died from coronavirus because of the lack of personal protective equipment, his son has claimed.
Dr Peter Tun, 62, died in the intensive care unit at Royal Berkshire Hospital, where he also worked, on April 13.
His son Michael Tun has now claimed that his dad had complained to a hospital manager about PPE being taken from the ward he was working on, before later testing positive.
Dr Tun allegedly told his son, two weeks before his death, that four patients had contracted coronavirus but weren't showing symptoms.
Now Michael has said he is speaking out to "protect everyone else who is in the same position that he was."
Dr Tun had worked as an associate specialist in neurorehabilitation at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, in Reading, for more than 21 years.
In an emotional statement, Michael Tun has warned that NHS staff "did not get into the profession to die a hero in battle" as he hit out at the lack of protective equipment.
And he told how his mother is still in hospital awaiting test results for Covid-19.
He said: “My dad Dr Peter Tun died from COVID19 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.
"My dad would have wanted to speak up if he thought it would save lives.
"I spoke to my dad the day that he found out there was someone who was positive for COVID19 in his ward.
"My dad told me that he had earlier complained to a manager because 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 had replied that 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.
"Please do everything to protect the doctors and nurses.
"They go in scared for themselves and their families. They did not get into the profession to die a hero in battle. This is why he was a superhero to us.
"He was scared and still went in to help strangers completely knowing the risk. The pain for the families is unbearable.
"He was afraid that he would give this to my mum and now she is in hospital also waiting for her test results.
"The thought that if only he had 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."
It comes as more than 40 NHS staff are now said to have died during the outbreak.
The Government has confirmed 19 deaths amongst those working for the health service, but announcements from NHS trusts and tributes from loved ones indicate the true number is higher still.
Dr Tun, who travelled to the UK from Burma in 1994, was promoted to associate specialist in 2004.
He was also a member and contributor to the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Professor Christine Collin, who worked alongside Dr Tun at the hospital for 12 years, described him as an "unfailingly kind, caring and gentle" man who was "much loved and respected" by both patients and colleagues.
She said: "Peter had the necessary compassion, respect and knowledge to help support the clinical needs of people with severe neurological disability, and had the useful attribute of always presenting a smiling face to the world.
"His family were his main joy in life, but he was also a talented artist, and could produce beautiful watercolours of his homeland."
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 spokeswoman said: “Everyone in the Trust has been deeply saddened by the death of Dr Peter Tun.
"There have been so many messages of sympathy and condolence from a wide range of staff and this shows just how popular and respected he was by all who knew and worked with him.
"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.
"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.”
