NHS staff told to wear ski masks and reuse gowns as ‘last resort’

HEALTH workers should wear ski goggles and reuse disposable gowns, leaked guidance has revealed, amid a “reduced ability to resupply” personal protective equipment.

A Public Health England (PHE) document seen by the BBC shows plans for the reuse of washable laboratory coats and patient gowns where there are no available disposable coveralls and for the purchase of “building” or “sportswear” eye protection with extensions to cover the side of the eyes if goggles or face shields are unavailable. The measures are described as “a last resort” but a draft PHE document, dated April 13, said: “Given the current incountry stock and the reduced ability to resupply, we are suggesting that these are implemented until confirmation of adequate resupply is in place.”

The leaked document comes as a report by NHS Providers, the body that represents hospital bosses in England, found that although the UK had PPE reserves before the pandemic, distribution was based on a “just-in-time” delivery model that has struggled to keep pace with demand.

The report identified problems getting gowns out of China, the “only immediate high-volume source”.

Shortages of hand gel have also been reported. An anaesthetics trainee in Scotland said: “We ran out of hand gel briefly and were provided with a bucket of steriliser to dip our hands in.”

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the British Medical Association, said there should be “absolutely no compromise to the protection of healthcare workers”.

In a statement, Dr Susan Hopkins, Covid-19 incident director at PHE, said: “PPE is a precious resource and it is crucial that everyone in health and social care has access to the right protective equipment. All options are being considered to ensure this, including the safe reuse of items, but no decisions have been made.”