Calls for PPE continue across the Midlands as concerns grow

The Government has been under increasing pressure to ensure the safety of frontline health staff.

Medics from across The Midlands have warned they face shortages of gowns, masks, gloves and other protective equipment which is designed to help keep them safe while treating Covid-19 patients.

Dr Asif Munaf, an NHS consultant in the East Midlands, told ITV News: “Every day the fear gets more and more. Especially with 50 colleagues being admitted to ITU and 20 colleagues dying in the past few weeks."

Dr Asif Munaf said: “We’ve had almost 20 doctors dying now. I never thought I’d be in a developed country, a first world country, wearing plastic aprons. Who would have thought?

“I’m scared for my family going home. I’ve got a two-year-old son.”

Dr Munaf said staff at his hospital were already having to ration PPE.

“It’s very limited. We’re having to ration this quite heavily. I’m having to make sure my toilet break is limited, my prayer break is limited.

“These things are part of the premium. They should be single basic use, but they’re not. We’re having to wear them for multiple patients.”

On Friday, a flight containing a hundred thousand face shields for NHS workers landed at East Midlands Airport.

The PPE has been taken to hospitals across the UK, including the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

The appeal was started to provide better protection for frontline workers during the pandemic.

  • Campaign organiser, Dr Mona Barzin says it’s a big relief to see the arrival of PPE

Meanwhile, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust CEO tweeted how she and other NHS CEO's are working hard to organise, share and ensure best use each piece of PPE.

She said their WhatsApp group pings every minute with offers and cries for help.

However, calls for support have been met with a large response from businesses in the West Midlands.

West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, wrote that more than 360 businesses across the region have responded to PPE requests.

Support has been coming out of various community groups and charitable organisations, including Burton Albion Community Trust, who has been working to help vulnerable people through the crisis.

Volunteers have been providing care packages and picking up anddelivering necessary prescriptions.