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Coronavirus: 'Low confidence' over arrival of PPE from Turkey Coronavirus: 'Low confidence' over arrival of PPE from Turkey
(33 minutes later)
There is "relatively low confidence" a delayed delivery of 400,000 protective gowns will arrive on Monday, a senior NHS figure has said.There is "relatively low confidence" a delayed delivery of 400,000 protective gowns will arrive on Monday, a senior NHS figure has said.
The gowns, to protect those treating coronavirus patients, had been expected to arrive from Turkey on Sunday.The gowns, to protect those treating coronavirus patients, had been expected to arrive from Turkey on Sunday.
It comes as another 449 deaths from Covid-19 were recorded in UK hospitals, taking the total number to 16,509.It comes as another 449 deaths from Covid-19 were recorded in UK hospitals, taking the total number to 16,509.
That is the lowest daily figure announced since 6 April. It does not include deaths in care homes.That is the lowest daily figure announced since 6 April. It does not include deaths in care homes.
Meanwhile, the UK may hold a minute's silence next week to pay tribute to NHS workers who have died with the virus.Meanwhile, the UK may hold a minute's silence next week to pay tribute to NHS workers who have died with the virus.
The row over a shortage of protective gear for the NHS has intensified over the last few days.The row over a shortage of protective gear for the NHS has intensified over the last few days.
An RAF aircraft left the UK at around 17:00 BST on Monday to pick up the delayed consigned and is expected to arrive in Istanbul later to be loaded.
Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, told the BBC there was "no doubt" some hospital trusts already had shortages of the gowns.Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, told the BBC there was "no doubt" some hospital trusts already had shortages of the gowns.
Mr Hopson, whose organisation represents healthcare trusts across England, said if the delayed consignment from Turkey did arrive on Monday it would "probably arrive very late on in the day".Mr Hopson, whose organisation represents healthcare trusts across England, said if the delayed consignment from Turkey did arrive on Monday it would "probably arrive very late on in the day".
"It just illustrates that we need to be careful about focusing on individual consignments," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."It just illustrates that we need to be careful about focusing on individual consignments," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"Bitter experience over the last few weeks has shown until a consignment of gowns has actually landed - that the boxes have been checked and the equipment's been tested - the NHS simply can't count on the gowns being available at the front line.""Bitter experience over the last few weeks has shown until a consignment of gowns has actually landed - that the boxes have been checked and the equipment's been tested - the NHS simply can't count on the gowns being available at the front line."
Mr Hopson gave the example of an expected consignment of 200,000 gowns from China which actually only contained 20,000 gowns when it arrived last week.Mr Hopson gave the example of an expected consignment of 200,000 gowns from China which actually only contained 20,000 gowns when it arrived last week.
Mr Hopson added that while the 400,000 gowns from Turkey would be welcome, NHS staff were getting through approximately 150,000 gowns a day.Mr Hopson added that while the 400,000 gowns from Turkey would be welcome, NHS staff were getting through approximately 150,000 gowns a day.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said he was "hopeful" the Turkish flight would leave on Monday.Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said he was "hopeful" the Turkish flight would leave on Monday.
He said the government was "working very hard" to resolve the issue but added there had been "challenges at the Turkish end".He said the government was "working very hard" to resolve the issue but added there had been "challenges at the Turkish end".
Another 25 million gowns from China had also been procured and the UK would be "getting those shortly as well", he added.Another 25 million gowns from China had also been procured and the UK would be "getting those shortly as well", he added.
The delay to the consignment is a real worry, both in the short and long-term.The delay to the consignment is a real worry, both in the short and long-term.
It is clear the pandemic stocks we have been largely relying on to date are running out, at least in terms of gowns and visors.It is clear the pandemic stocks we have been largely relying on to date are running out, at least in terms of gowns and visors.
It has left us depending on international supply - certainly for gowns - as we do not seem to be able to manufacture them ourselves.It has left us depending on international supply - certainly for gowns - as we do not seem to be able to manufacture them ourselves.
Given the international demand for them, this threatens to be an on-going issue that could cause problems for months to come.Given the international demand for them, this threatens to be an on-going issue that could cause problems for months to come.
Staff are understandably worried - they are putting their lives at risk.Staff are understandably worried - they are putting their lives at risk.
Ministers and their officials are clearly working hard to do what they can.Ministers and their officials are clearly working hard to do what they can.
But in the future, serious questions will need to be asked about why this situation has arisen in the first place.But in the future, serious questions will need to be asked about why this situation has arisen in the first place.
Downing Street said the government had now delivered a billion pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline staff.Downing Street said the government had now delivered a billion pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline staff.
The prime minister's spokesman said delivery of gowns in particular was "pressured at the moment" and there was a "global supply problem".The prime minister's spokesman said delivery of gowns in particular was "pressured at the moment" and there was a "global supply problem".
He said the government was working to ensure the shipment is "delivered as soon as it is ready" but it was not only reliant on Turkey and had "plenty more orders lined up and expected".He said the government was working to ensure the shipment is "delivered as soon as it is ready" but it was not only reliant on Turkey and had "plenty more orders lined up and expected".
The NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across healthcare, said delays on the shipment from Turkey make "a difficult situation worse".The NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across healthcare, said delays on the shipment from Turkey make "a difficult situation worse".
Its chief executive Niall Dickson said "it would have been better had the government not made the announcement in the first place" regarding the order.Its chief executive Niall Dickson said "it would have been better had the government not made the announcement in the first place" regarding the order.
Public Health England changed its advice on Friday to allow the NHS to re-use gowns if stock was running low, saying "some compromise" was needed "in times of extreme shortages".Public Health England changed its advice on Friday to allow the NHS to re-use gowns if stock was running low, saying "some compromise" was needed "in times of extreme shortages".
Mr Hopson said some trusts had taken to washing fluid-repellent gowns at 60C and had found, when washed a maximum three times, they remained resistant.Mr Hopson said some trusts had taken to washing fluid-repellent gowns at 60C and had found, when washed a maximum three times, they remained resistant.
Meanwhile, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland currently had "adequate stocks" of all the main items of PPE but gowns were one of the items "under most pressure".Meanwhile, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland currently had "adequate stocks" of all the main items of PPE but gowns were one of the items "under most pressure".
Alice Ushumba, who runs a healthcare service in Hampshire providing care to people in their own homes, said PPE is the "biggest challenge" her organisation faces.Alice Ushumba, who runs a healthcare service in Hampshire providing care to people in their own homes, said PPE is the "biggest challenge" her organisation faces.
She said she is struggling to get hold of enough masks and some staff had resigned because they didn't feel safe with the protective equipment available.She said she is struggling to get hold of enough masks and some staff had resigned because they didn't feel safe with the protective equipment available.
"We're going into people's houses who might have Covid but we don't have anything to protect ourselves except perhaps a little plastic apron and gloves," she told BBC Radio 4's World at One."We're going into people's houses who might have Covid but we don't have anything to protect ourselves except perhaps a little plastic apron and gloves," she told BBC Radio 4's World at One.
Gill Long, who runs a bespoke tailor in Hull, said she contacted the government several weeks ago to see if she could help make PPE for the NHS but heard nothing back.Gill Long, who runs a bespoke tailor in Hull, said she contacted the government several weeks ago to see if she could help make PPE for the NHS but heard nothing back.
However, after approaching two local MPs she was put in contact with a nearby hospital and is hoping to make up to 250 gowns a day for them.However, after approaching two local MPs she was put in contact with a nearby hospital and is hoping to make up to 250 gowns a day for them.
"It's just a shame we were offering weeks ago - it could have been done then," she told the same programme."It's just a shame we were offering weeks ago - it could have been done then," she told the same programme.
The BBC has identified 70 healthcare workers who have died with coronavirus since the start of the outbreak.The BBC has identified 70 healthcare workers who have died with coronavirus since the start of the outbreak.
Those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds represented 42 out of 60 deaths, where it was possible to establish ethnicity.Those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds represented 42 out of 60 deaths, where it was possible to establish ethnicity.
Meanwhile, Prince Charles opened a 2,000-bed field hospital at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The site - called Dragon's Heart Hospital - becomes Wales' biggest hospital.Meanwhile, Prince Charles opened a 2,000-bed field hospital at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The site - called Dragon's Heart Hospital - becomes Wales' biggest hospital.
Charles' father, the Duke of Edinburgh, has made a rare public statement, praising those helping to tackle the pandemic and keeping essential services running.Charles' father, the Duke of Edinburgh, has made a rare public statement, praising those helping to tackle the pandemic and keeping essential services running.
Prince Philip, 98, who retired from public duties in 2017, said he wanted to recognise the "vital and urgent" medical and scientific work taking place.Prince Philip, 98, who retired from public duties in 2017, said he wanted to recognise the "vital and urgent" medical and scientific work taking place.
In his message, published online, the duke said: "On behalf of those of us who remain safe and at home, I also wanted to thank all key workers who ensure the infrastructure of our life continues."In his message, published online, the duke said: "On behalf of those of us who remain safe and at home, I also wanted to thank all key workers who ensure the infrastructure of our life continues."
In other developments:In other developments: