CONFUSION and concern is increasing about the true situation regarding personal protection equipment (PPE) for frontline staff in the NHS – with Basildon & Thurrock Hospital seemingly at the sharp end of a contradiction between management and the staff.

Thurrock Nub News has featured a number of stories about local people, community organisations and businesses donating equipment to the hospital, where staff have reported they are running short of essential supplies.

A Stanford-le-Hope critical care support worker, Julie Dann, inspired many with her story from the front line.

Ms Dann spoke warmly of the efforts of management at the hospital and said she believed they were doing their best in a difficult situation to get supplies in through orthodox methods while other nurses and staff have since contacted us to say they are grateful for the much-needed support from the regional community.

But they highlighted there is still a shortage of some key items and we were even told that some staff were using rubbish bags as protective coverings because of a shortage of the proper items.

Across the NHS, the latest official figures from the government recorded 27 verified coronavirus-related deaths of NHS staff during the pandemic, but others have also died. Some sources say the tally is as high as 56 deaths and the true scale of those who have lost their lives is likely to be higher, as not all deaths will be in the public domain.

The threat to NHS staff putting themselves in harm's way is indisputably real!

And concern about the situation regarding PPE has been focused on a leaked report that came to light today (Saturday, 18 April).

A leaked email sent to NHS trusts warns most will run out of gowns this weekend and will not have "sustainable" levels again until the middle of June, The Independent can reveal.

The warning was sounded by a military liaison officer brought in by the government after the coronavirus pandemic was declared a national emergency.

The email was sent to hospitals and other NHS trusts as Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said he could not guarantee hospitals would have enough personal protective equipment (PPE) to get through the weekend.

A "global shortage" of equipment

Within hours it has been reported that doctors and nurses were asked to treat patients without gowns, where necessary, and use plastic aprons as an alternative. The previous guidance for healthcare workers had been to wear full-length waterproof surgical gowns to protect against transfer of the virus.

And national reports say staff have been asked to treat coronavirus patients without gowns because of a "global shortage" of equipment.

In the leaked email the officer wrote to hospitals and other NHS trusts saying: "I can confirm that regions were informed that there will be no deliveries of gowns until 27 April and a sustainable level will not be reached until after mid-Jun."

He added: "My assessment is that most trusts will be out of stock after the weekend on current consumption."

He said there were still a certain amount of gowns "out there" and asked hospitals to "provide mutual aid where you can."

Trusts were to continue to log their requests he said, but added: "We have no idea when the next stock will arrive".

On Friday evening Public Health England issued new guidance, advising medics to wear "disposable, non-fluid repellent gowns or coveralls" or "washable surgical gowns", with aprons, and to wash their forearms afterwards.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has already told nurses they can refuse to treat patients if they do not have proper personal protective equipment.

Thurrock Nub News has been trying to establish what the situation is at Basildon & Thurrock Hospital – and specifically if they require the public and businesses to send in supplies.

It seems not! The hospital says all its staff have full PPE supplied to them via the NHS.

Yesterday we received this statement in answer to our question 'should the public keep sending in supplies?: "Consistent with national guidance, all staff in high risk areas are given full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This guidance has been developed by expert clinicians and is being followed by the whole of the NHS.

"All of our hospitals continue to receive regular supplies of PPE and we are absolutely committed to keeping our staff safe."

We immediately sought clarification about donations from local sources, typified by a batch of equipment received by Ms Dann on Thursday but the Hospitals Trust has not responded.