NHS staff reveal ‘genuine fear’ as they have to buy their own protective equipment on the coronavirus frontline
- The lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) has prompted concern for NHS
- NHS guidelines state medical staff are to have protective FFP3 masks ‘fit-tested’
- But doctors say the practices have been abandoned and masks are ‘gold dust’
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
NHS staff have spoken of their ‘genuine fear’ as they are forced to buy their own protective equipment.
Healthcare providers are also resorting to reusing disposable items due to a lack of supply.
The lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) has prompted concern for the safety of doctors and nurses on the front line.
NHS staff have spoken of their ‘genuine fear’ as they are forced to buy their own protective equipment
Without adequate provisions, healthcare staff are at heightened risk of infection.
One senior doctor in West Yorkshire told the i there was ‘genuine fear’ among workers who are being left without necessary kit.
The consultant told of buying equipment from a DIY store to protect against transmission of COVID-19.
They said: ‘We are having issues of shortages for operating theatre areas, and I have lost faith in that being rectified. It has prompted me to buy goggles from Wickes to go with my own backup respirator mask.
‘As a department we have bought our own reusable masks and sterilisers with our own cash. We have now been advised not to throw away the single-use visors we are supposed to have – but didn’t have today – as they will instead be cleaned for re-use.’
NHS guidelines state medical staff are to have protective FFP3 masks ‘fit-tested’ to ensure adequate resistance against infection. If the masks do not fit, a respiratory hood should be supplied to protect them.
NHS guidelines state medical staff are to have protective FFP3 masks (pictured) ‘fit-tested’ to ensure adequate resistance against infection
Speaking to the i, the doctor told how this procedure has now been abandoned.
‘We’ve been told to just press the masks on hard.
‘I saw genuine fear in my staff today – they are fully aware that they are not as protected as they could be.’
Another consultant in the North East told the i items such as masks were ‘gold dust’ in their hospital due to shortages.
This comes after nurses at a major London hospital posted photographs of themselves wearing clinical waste bags on their heads for protection.
The staff are from Northwick Park hospital in Harrow, which yesterday became the first hospital in the country to say it had no critical care beds left as it was overwhelmed by coronavirus patients.
Dr Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer for England, said the country has a ‘perfectly adequate supply of PPE at the moment’
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, a nurse at the hospital, who did not wish to be named, issued a plea for gowns, gloves and proper masks.
She said: ‘We need proper PPE kit now, or nurses and doctors are going to die. It’s as simple as that.’
Dr Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer for England, said the country has a ‘perfectly adequate supply of PPE at the moment’ during a press conference at Downing Street yesterday evening.
She added: ‘There have been some differential deliveries in some areas. That is completely resolved now.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: ‘We will continue to give our NHS and the social care sector everything they need to tackle this outbreak and we have central stockpiles of Personal Protective Equipment.
‘We are working closely with industry, the NHS, social care providers and others in the supply chain to ensure these medical products are delivered to the frontline as quickly as possible, helping to minimise any risks to patients and staff.’
