NHS staff fighting coronavirus on frontline ‘forced to buy their own PPE from DIY stores’
NHS heroes fighting on the frontline against coronavirus say they've been forced to buy their own protective equipment from DIY stores.
Data from the NHSppe app, created to track shortages of PPE, found that 52% of doctors lacked the correct gowns for high risk procedures.
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According to the statistics from the Nhsppe app, seen by the , 38% of respondents reported having no eye protection at all while treating Covid-19 patients.
The government has recently been criticised for not providing enough PPE to health workers, with nurses forced to share equipment despite being on the frontline of the pandemic.
One partner at a GP practice told the Doctors Association UK: "All my GPs have bought PPE from DIY stores as our stock ran out weeks ago."
While another health worker added: “There are no gowns available to staff dealing with Covid-positive patients.
"The hospital says they will not provide us with scrubs and we are to take our infected clothes home and wash them. I have vulnerable relatives at home."
Other frontline staff have shared shocking reports of flimsy and poorly made equipment with the GMB Union.
One hospital worker said: “We have thin plastic aprons that tear easily and blow all over. Face masks are not fit for purpose.”
Critical care doctor Alan Courtney also told that nursing staff have been among the sickest patients in his ward, and stressed that PPE "is a big issue which we must get right."
We have thin plastic aprons that tear easily and blow all over. Face masks are not fit for purpose.
A Hospital Worker, Speaking to the GMB Union
It comes after at least 30 NHS workers have tragically died after contracting the coronavirus, with the government facing mounting criticism over the lack of supply of PPE to NHS staff.
Grandfather Gareth Roberts, 65, had come out of retirement and was working extra shifts during the Covid-19 crisis,
He had previously warned his family and friends about not having proper PPE - and was left working with a paper mask and a pinny.
Family friend Janette Leonard said: "He didn't have PPE. In the beginning he said he didn't have anything.
"For Gareth, he paid the ultimate price. Yeah we're angry. Why would you send a soldier on to the frontline without combat gear? It's unthinkable."
The Royal College of Nursing union has also told members they have the right to refuse to work if they feel unsafe.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, meanwhile, has promised to investigate the exact cause of every NHS worker’s death.
Alok Sharma, the Business Secretary, also apologised on Monday to the frontline staff struggling to get essential kit tools during the coronavirus crisis.
He said: “It is our job to make sure we get that health care equipment, that PPE, out to them."
When asked to apologise for the lack of PPE given to frontline staff, Mr Sharma added he was "sorry for the loss of any life during this pandemic."
It comes as Britain's coronavirus lockdown will continue for at least three more weeks with the pandemic peak still days away.
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Positive Covid-19 cases also rose to 93,873 from 88,621 yesterday as Britain continues its fourth week of lockdown.
The Department of Health today confirmed a total of 12,107 people have died from the bug in hospital - up 778 from yesterday.
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