Coronavirus doctors beg people to stop stealing hand gel from hospitals

The panic over coronavirus has seen bottles of hand sanitising gel being stolen from hospitals and doctors are urging people to stop.

Anecdotal reports had been circulating in recent days over supplies and hand gel being taken from hospitals, walk in centres and other health care facilities.

But now a senior doctor has spoken to the public urging anyone tempted to help themselves to supplies to "think of the vulnerable."

Wirral University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust released a statement today saying bottles of hand gel are disappearing from public areas of Arrowe Park Hospital in Birkenhead.

Dr Nicola Stevenson, Medical Director at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “It is important that we are able to protect our vulnerable patients as well as our visitors and staff by ensuring they are able to keep their hands clean.

A general view of a sign at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside, where British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China are being quarantined (Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

“Removing hand gels from wards and public areas potentially places people at risk.

“While we understand people are really keen to keep their hands clean, we would ask people to please ensure this does not impact on patients who are vulnerable and in need of hospital care.

“People are advised that the best way to protect against COVID-19 (coronavirus) is to wash hands regularly with soap and water.”

For further advice on hand hygiene and how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/