Desperate NHS staff battling the coronavirus crisis have written to Boris Johnson demanding proper protective equipment, as deaths again soared yesterday.
A letter signed by 15,000 medics called on the PM to provide the same masks, goggles, gowns and gloves as workers in other countries.
The heartfelt plea came as the death toll soared to 1,808 on Tuesday.
And Britain still trails behind comparable nations for the number of people offered Covid-19 tests. All but a few hundred NHS staff are being denied them so many are being forced off work as a precaution.
A quarter of hospital doctors are believed to now be self-isolating at home, placing even greater strain on the already stretched NHS. Three medics have died from Covid-19.
Guidance issued by NHS England and Public Health England about protective equipment differs from the World Health Organisation.
It says frontline workers need goggles only in procedures most likely to generate virus-carrying aerosols, such as inserting a breathing tube.
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The doctors' letter said: “We have never needed NHS workers more as we fight the spread of coronavirus.
“But the UK Government is not adhering to the WHO’s guidelines on personal protection equipment (PPE).
“This means hundreds of thousands of NHS workers do not have adequate masks, goggles, gowns and gloves as we tackle this escalating crisis.
“A lack of PPE is putting workers in danger.”
Doctors told of their fears over working without proper equipment.
One said: “Covid-19 receiving unit in the largest hospital in my region has almost no supply of long-sleeved gowns and minimal visors/goggles.” Another, based in the North West, added: “I’m assessing suspected and confirmed cases with only a surgical mask, sleeveless apron and gloves.”
A Gloucestershire consultant said: “Our ward covers confirmed Covid-19 positive patients. I was on it all weekend. We only have plastic aprons, gloves and surgical masks.”
The letter was drafted by grassroots organisation EveryDoctor and signed by 10,000 members of the public.
WHO said all staff dealing with conronavirus should wear a medical mask, gloves, gown and eye protection.
The British Medical Association has objected to the fact that UK guidance does not state all medics need full gowns and goggles.
Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, told yesterday’s Downing Street briefing: “The UK has always had sufficient stocks to date that it needs against its guidelines and those guidelines are amongst the best in the world.”
On how workers feel, she added: “We are very attuned to this and what we’ve been doing over the last few days is reviewing our guidance to see if, although we’re quite satisfied with the technical basis of it, if we can make some small tweaks if you like to ensure that people feel safer in what they are doing.
“And we’re addressing that over the current period.”
The letter to the PM was drafted by grassroots organisation EveryDoctor and signed by a further 10,000 members of the public.
The World Health Organisation issued guidance on March 19 outlining minimum adequate protection for healthcare workers assessing suspected COVID-19 patients.
It said all should wear a medical mask, gloves, gown and eye protection.
At this stage of the pandemic this guidance should apply to all healthcare workers as the disease is now widespread.
