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Coronavirus: Concerns over reuse of protective medical kit Coronavirus: Concern over protective kit guidance change
(about 2 hours 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. Medical staff have been advised to reuse personal protective equipment and wear plastic aprons with coveralls, rather than the full-length gowns, if stocks in England run low.
An official from the BMA said the change could see front-line staff deciding they cannot treat patients. Unions representing doctors and nurses have expressed concerns about the updated Public Health England guidance.
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, 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".
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".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".
'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."
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, representing health service trusts, said the situation was "worrying" and "less than satisfactory".
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The reality is that there is a chance, and I don't think it's definite, but there is a chance that hospitals could run out or, indeed other parts of the system could run out of the gowns which are required to treat some, not all, Covid patients."
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: