NHS bosses have asked doctors and nurses to work without protective full-length gowns when treating Covid-19 patients, as hospitals came within hours of running out of supplies. It sets out options for what frontline staff should do when they cannot access gowns. Advising staff to use aprons instead of gowns carries the risk of a major confrontation with staff groups. “Changing official guidance on protective equipment from gowns to aprons translates to increased risk to frontline staff, at a time when the death toll from Covid-19 is already rising for frontline workers. “The health secretary’s repeated reassurances the supply of protective kit for staff was under control now look totally threadbare.

Source: The Guardian April 17, 2020 15:48 UTC