Russells Hall Hospital bosses dismiss PPE shortage claims
Bosses at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital insist there is "sufficient" personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff, following claims some workers do not have the protection they need.
A member of staff working on the isolation wards with coronavirus patients told the Express & Star they had been told to wear uniforms again as there weren't enough scrubs for everyone.
It was claimed there were no long-sleeve gowns and a "massive shortage of face visors and goggles".
But the Dudley Group NHS Trust, which runs Russells Hall, said "appropriate" PPE had been provided and that there were "different requirements" for staff "depending on the nature of their work and the area they work in".
Chief executive Diane Wake also said reports on social media surrounding PPE were "incorrect" and "causing unnecessary worry and concern".
More Covid-19 coverage:
The Government has come under pressure over PPE provision, following complaints from health workers in parts of the country that there is not enough.
An anonymous worker told the Express & Star: "Healthcare professionals will wear uniforms, take them home and wash it themselves. No more long sleeve gowns, as it seems to be acceptable now to expose part of our chest, all of our arms and own uniform to this virus that have now killed many NHS staff."
But Ms Wake said: "I would like to reassure our staff, patients and members of the public that we have sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks, disposable gowns and scrubs to keep our staff safe while they are looking after our patients.
"We are taking delivery of equipment every day and ensuring the appropriate PPE is delivered direct to all wards and departments where it is needed. We are following national guidance for the protection of our staff and that means there are different requirements depending on the nature of their work and the area they work in.
"I completely understand anxiety amongst our staff is running high at this very difficult time but it is important for everyone to know that we are both receiving and using correctly regular supplies of protective equipment, in line with national guidance, to make sure our patients, staff, agency workers, volunteers and other colleagues are protected and can stay safe."
