Health organisations across the UK have written a letter to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, calling for better PPE provisions in hospitals. 

Personal Protective Equipment has been at the centre of controversy throughout the pandemic, but health care workers say their lives are still at risk due to inadequate protection.

Nearly 20 major healthcare bodies are appealing to the Prime Minister for better personal protection against coronavirus. In the letter they say that at least 930 health care workers have died of Covid-19, and more are experiencing long-term effects. 

They blame inadequate protection and so are calling for an urgent improvement in masks and defences. 

They’ve set out three key areas that need addressing as soon as possible:

1. Improved ventilation

2. Better respiratory protection – like FFP3 masks.

3. Healthcare guidance changed to reflect new evidence of airborne transmission.

They hope that if these changes are made, staff and patients will feel more protected.

Ella Mulhall, a nurse at the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mother Hospital in Margate said: “PPE in hospitals is not to a high enough standard. Unless you’re working on a dedicated coronavirus ward – it’s the only time you’re given a decent mask.

“Other than that you just wear normal masks that you would wear in shops. They don’t really have much protection when patients are coming in with Covid, and they don’t know they have Covid.”

Back in April last year, there was a big debate that the PPE being promised by government wasn’t being delivered, with stories of staff in hospitals allegedly having to sanitise and reuse PPE. T

his lead to a big community effort as people set to making masks and face shields for health care staff across the country. And now, nearly a year on we seem to be in a similar crisis.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care: “At every stage of the pandemic, the safety of our NHS and social care staff has been our priority – and we continue to work tirelessly to deliver PPE to protect those on the frontline. 

“We also know good ventilation can greatly reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19, which is why it is listed in guidance to help businesses and health and care settings stay Covid-secure. 

“The government will continue to closely monitor new and emerging evidence on airborne transmission, and update our advice where necessary.”