NHS hospitals will not have enough protective gowns to treat coronavirus patients ‘until JUNE’

Doctors and nurses were also instructed to reuse gear that is normally single-use only or even wear white lab coats and wash them afterwards.

At least 56 NHS and healthcare workers have so far died from coronavirus, with many families blaming lack of personal protective equipment.

Prof Keith Willett, who has been leading NHS England's response to the coronavirus crisis, has helped formulate the guidance, which will be sent to all 217 trusts in England later.

Hospitals that still have full-length gowns will have to lend them to others, while anyone without will have to make do with aprons instead.

A source with knowledge of the plan told the Guardian: "The new guidance will say 'this is what you do if you don't have any gowns'. Wear an apron instead – that will be the new policy for the foreseeable future, though the medical organisations will go mad about that."

In a leaked email, seen by the Independent, a military liaison officer wrote to hospitals and other NHS trusts saying: "I can confirm that regions were informed that there will be no deliveries of gowns until 27 Apr and a sustainable level will not be reached until after mid-June."

He added: "My assessment is that most trusts will be out of stock after the weekend on current consumption."

Shadow health minister Justin Madders said the amount of key workers still without protective equipment was a "scandal".

"Workers have been sounding the alarm for weeks now and the Government has had months to put things in place," he said.

"It is outrageous that supplies keep running so low, protecting those staff who are risking their lives every time they go to work should be an absolute priority.

"Ministers need to make good on their promises, sort out the supply issues and work to make sure no staff member feels unsafe because of a lack of PPE. It is no good making grand promises if they later turn out to be undeliverable."

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In Friday's daily coronavirus briefing, Business Secretary Alok Sharma was asked about the reports.

He said: "I completely understand that people will be worried if there are shortages aware of supply issues that have been raised.

"It is a global supply issue - everyone is trying to get access to PPE.

"We are working night and day in terms of making sure we procure more PPE."

Earlier on Friday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned the UK was “tight on gowns” but 55,000 more were due to arrive.

He added: “I would love to be able to wave a magic wand and have PPE fall from the sky in large quantities and be able to answer your question about when shortages will be resolved.

“But given that we have a global situation in which there is less PPE in the world than the world needs, obviously it’s going to be a huge pressure point.”

The Royal College of Nursing said half of nursing staff, including those in the most high-risk environments, have felt pressured into working without proper PPE.

They are reusing kit, are short of alcohol rub and wearing eye protection they have bought or made at home.

Last night’s alert from the medical regulator warned the measures were due to “exceptional circumstances”.

The new guidance admits masks and gowns are designed for single use but says global supply is currently unable to meet demand and “compromises” are necessary.

It covers all PPE  used during the Covid-19 outbreak but only gowns are expected to run out this weekend.

A poll of doctors by the British Medical Association exposed similar shortages.

Dame Donna Kinnair, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “These figures unmask the gut-wrenching shortages nursing staff are dealing with in all health care settings.

“It is little wonder they are in such fear for their own safety and that of their patients.

“This crisis is taking the lives of nursing staff, and their colleagues feel they’ve been left exposed.

“All decision makers involved here need to get an urgent grip on the situation.

“Nursing staff just want to do their jobs – they must be given protection in order to do so.”

It comes as the UK recorded 847 new coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals yesterday, taking the total to 14,576.

Among the latest deaths was new mum Salina Shaw, 37, who died just a few days after giving birth to her daughter.

Mr Hancock said the Government had now identified 27 NHS workers who had died after contracting coronavirus, however the true total is thought to be significantly greater.

In response, The Department of Health said: “We are working round the clock given the global shortage of gowns and other PPE to secure the NHS and the social care sector the equipment they need.#

“New clinical advice has been issued today to make sure that if there are shortages in one area, frontline staff know what PPE to wear instead to minimise risk.

“This has been reviewed by the Health and Safety Executive, and is in line with WHO and CDC guidance on PPE use in exceptional circumstances.

“There is a 24 hour NHS-run helpline where NHS and social care workers can call to report shortages in supply and it is crucial the relevant guidance for protective equipment is followed closely.”