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'UTTER SHAMBLES'

NHS staff forced to hold their breath and wear bin bags while treating coronavirus patients due to lack of PPE

TERRIFIED NHS staff are wearing scuba masks, bin bags, kitchen aprons and even holding their breath to treat patients thanks to the “utter shambles” of the PPE crisis.

Nurses and doctors also use swim and ski goggles, out-of-date masks and put clinical waste bags on their heads and feet as they risk their lives to help virus victims.

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 Nurses and doctors have resorted to wearing clinical waste bags and out-of-date masks due to PPE shortages as they continue to risk their lives
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Nurses and doctors have resorted to wearing clinical waste bags and out-of-date masks due to PPE shortages as they continue to risk their lives

Nearly half of doctors have had to find their own protective equipment or rely on donations, says a survey by the British Medical Association.

One health worker said the PPE shortage was “an utter shambles from start to finish”.

Photos of staff at Northwick Hospital in North London wearing clinical waste bags were posted online.

Medics in Plymouth have worn scrubs made from old medical curtains sewn by volunteers.

And with real PPE like gold dust on the wards, health workers are turning up early to get theirs before it runs out for the day.

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 A health worker said the PPE shortages have been 'utter shambles from start to finish'
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A health worker said the PPE shortages have been 'utter shambles from start to finish'
 The NHS staff are having to hold their breath while treating patients due to a lack of masks
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 The NHS staff are having to hold their breath while treating patients due to a lack of masksCredit: EPA

Dr Samantha Batt-Rawden said some staff held their breath while treating patients due to a lack of masks.

She added: “Doctors are dying."Nurses are dying."

"We are devastated and can no longer stand by and watch.”

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We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.

A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.” SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”

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Matt Hancock grilled by son of dead NHS worker for not taking PPE failure 'seriously'


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