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| Coronavirus: Concerns over reuse of protective medical kit | Coronavirus: Concerns over reuse of protective medical kit |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Unions representing doctors and nurses have expressed concerns about revised coronavirus guidance that allows some personal protective equipment to be reused at hospitals in England. | Unions representing doctors and nurses have expressed concerns about revised coronavirus guidance that allows some personal protective equipment to be reused at hospitals in England. |
| An official from the BMA said the change could see front-line staff deciding they cannot treat patients. | An official from the BMA said the change could see front-line staff deciding they cannot treat patients. |
| There have been warnings some hospitals could run out of the gowns used in intensive care units this weekend. | There have been warnings some hospitals could run out of the gowns used in intensive care units this weekend. |
| The government said it is working to provide the PPE stocks hospitals need. | The government said it is working to provide the PPE stocks hospitals need. |
| Healthcare staff treating patients with Covid-19 have previously been advised to wear long-sleeved disposable fluid repellent gowns. | Healthcare staff treating patients with Covid-19 have previously been advised to wear long-sleeved disposable fluid repellent gowns. |
| But Chris Hopson, chairman of NHS Providers, which represents healthcare trusts across England said some trusts will run out over the weekend, | But Chris Hopson, chairman of NHS Providers, which represents healthcare trusts across England said some trusts will run out over the weekend, |
| Mr Hopson said in a tweet: "We have now reached the point where the national stock of fully fluid repellent gowns and long-sleeved laboratory coats will be exhausted in the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours." | Mr Hopson said in a tweet: "We have now reached the point where the national stock of fully fluid repellent gowns and long-sleeved laboratory coats will be exhausted in the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours." |
| He said that national leaders have left "no stone unturned" - but the gowns are made in China and those that were ordered weeks ago are currently only arriving in "fits and starts". | |
| Public Health England changed guidance on Friday, asking doctors and nurses to work without full-length gowns and to reuse other certain items, as "some compromise is needed to optimise the supply of PPE in times of extreme shortages". | Public Health England changed guidance on Friday, asking doctors and nurses to work without full-length gowns and to reuse other certain items, as "some compromise is needed to optimise the supply of PPE in times of extreme shortages". |
| 'Lives on the line' | 'Lives on the line' |
| The Royal College of Nursing said the guidance was developed without a full consultation and the British Medical Association (BMA) - which represents doctors - said any change must be driven by science, not availability. | The Royal College of Nursing said the guidance was developed without a full consultation and the British Medical Association (BMA) - which represents doctors - said any change must be driven by science, not availability. |
| Dr Rob Harwood, consultants committee chairman at the British Medical Association, said: "If it's being proposed that staff reuse equipment, this must be demonstrably driven by science and the best evidence - rather than availability - and it absolutely cannot compromise the protection of healthcare workers. | Dr Rob Harwood, consultants committee chairman at the British Medical Association, said: "If it's being proposed that staff reuse equipment, this must be demonstrably driven by science and the best evidence - rather than availability - and it absolutely cannot compromise the protection of healthcare workers. |
| "Too many healthcare workers have already died. More doctors and their colleagues cannot be expected to put their own lives on the line in a bid to save others, and this new advice means they could be doing just that. It's not a decision they should have to make." | "Too many healthcare workers have already died. More doctors and their colleagues cannot be expected to put their own lives on the line in a bid to save others, and this new advice means they could be doing just that. It's not a decision they should have to make." |
| A Department of Health spokesman said: "New clinical advice has been issued today to make sure that if there are shortages in one area, front-line staff know what PPE to wear instead to minimise risk." | A Department of Health spokesman said: "New clinical advice has been issued today to make sure that if there are shortages in one area, front-line staff know what PPE to wear instead to minimise risk." |
| The UK announced 847 new coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals in its latest figures on Friday, taking the total to 14,576. | The UK announced 847 new coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals in its latest figures on Friday, taking the total to 14,576. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |