Staff working at a Gloucestershire surgery are appealing for help amid fears they are about run out of protective face masks and gloves within days.
Healthcare workers at Dockham Road surgery in Cinderford put out a public appeal on social media for help in dealing with the coronavirus crisis.
They say the Forest of Dean surgery could run out of masks and they don't know when they will get any more.
“We are desperate and would like to put a call out to the community to see if there are any going spare,” one staff member who did not want to be named told GloucestershireLive.
“We need face masks and gloves. We have obviously ordered them through our normal channels but we do not know how soon the Government supply force can get to us.”
Although patients with Covid 19 symptoms are being told not to visit GP surgeries, many calling for other reasons could have Coronavirus but have yet to display symptoms.
Staff say they have been managing with ordinary paper masks but are hoping to get hold of the grade FFP2 and FFP 3 masks which offer more protection.
Army could deliver masks
The shortage of personal protection equipment for NHS staff dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic has been a major issue in recent days with many NHS staff saying they do not have what they need to protect themselves on the front line.
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Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said on Saturday that the Government had established a “national supply distribution response team” which would use the Armed Forces and other emergency services to deliver masks to hospitals and surgeries.
But the Cinderford-based healthcare worker said none had arrived at their surgery on Monday morning and stocks were running very low.
“I know it’s trying times and I love my job but I also want a life at the end of this to enjoy with my loved ones," they said.
“We are a great team and want to protect patients and staff.
“We will take anything available and anything received that we can’t use I will ensure that they get distributed to the wider community who can make use of them.”
Another source at the surgery said: "We probably have enough for tomorrow and the next day but we would be more than happy to accept any donations from the public."
Anyone who can help can drop contact the surgery on 01594 820010.
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A spokesperson for NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group said: “The safety of patients and healthcare professionals is an absolute top priority. We are expecting an additional and sizeable consignment of personal protective equipment for our GP surgeries this week and are organising rapid distribution.
"Local GP surgeries have also adapted their ways of working to reflect the Covid-19 situation, providing a far greater number of telephone and video consultations so that the risks to both patients and staff are reduced. They are doing a terrific job under significant pressure.”
Thanks a million NHS heroes
Why do we exist:
The NHS is the very best of us. We watch in awe as they work tirelessly to care for us during these unprecedented times. We’ve never relied on them more. We’ve never needed to thank them more and that's what our Help For Heroes initiative is about.
You can show how much you appreciate their efforts by sending them some love, on our Thanks A Million Map https://www.thanksamillionnhs.co.uk/ Simply add your message of support and send a heart to your postcode area. You can zoom around the map to see how many people from communities around Britain are supporting it, and read other messages. If you're a member of NHS staff you'll find a dedicated section of discounts and money-off deals, just for you, too.
But alongside appreciation, the NHS also needs our help - from PPE, to food to keep them going during shifts, medical supplies and more - money can make a big difference. So we have launched NHS Heroes Help From Home - a nationwide drive to raise funds for our NHS frontline, that everyone can get involved in.
How it works:
- Donate to NHS Heroes Help From Home from just £2
- As a thank you, everyone who donates will be entered into the weekly NHS Heroes Raffle
- Winners are announced every Thursday at 8:05pm.
- If you’re a winner, choose to keep your prize or gift to an NHS hero of your choice
- Find out more at: https://donate.thanksamillionnhs.co.uk/ or click the link on the Thanks a Million map to go direct to the donation site
Where do the funds go:
Funds raised are in aid of the NHS Charities COVID-19 Appeal, set up by NHS Charities Together. Donations will help take care of the immediate well-being of our NHS frontline heroes as well as provide essential longer-term mental health support .
94% of all donations will go to NHS Charities Together’s COVID-19 Appeal. The remaining 6% will cover the cost of payment processing fees.
In a direct appeal to front-line workers, Mr Jenrick said the Government “will not stop” until healthcare settings are provided with the equipment they need.
Some 170 million masks and almost 10 million items of cleaning equipment are among the items being delivered to 58,000 NHS trusts and healthcare settings, including GP surgeries, pharmacies and community providers, he said.
Over the weekend the Business Secretary Alok Sharma said the Government would cut red tape so PPE could be imported far more easily and quickly.
New temporary measures will mean the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Local Authorities can prioritise safety assessments for PPE and allow products without the CE mark onto the market.
Experts say the masks can help because one way the the virus is being transmitted is through droplets coming from peoples' mouths when they speak.