• Michael Gove led today's press briefing on COVID-19.
• He was joined by Dr Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer for England and Dr Stephen Powis, national medical director of NHS England.

NHS Providers deputy chief executive, Saffron Cordery said:

"We’ve been calling for clarity on the PPE guidance so frontline clinicians can feel as safe as possible as they treat and care for patients.

"The joint letter published at the weekend was a helpful start – but more is needed if we are to regain front line confidence in the way that is needed.

"This is an issue of great concern and urgency for trust leaders and it’s frustrating that the review is taking so long.

"We hope and expect that this document, backed by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges which represents all the key medical specialties, will resolve outstanding questions over the appropriate and sustainable use of this kit."

Trust leaders seek detail on how quickly testing will be ramped up

NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said

"Trust leaders have welcomed the planned escalation of staff testing.

"These tests will mean that those staff, who are understandably self isolating, are able to return to the frontline sooner.

"Currently trusts can only use 15% of their testing capacity for staff testing and we’d like to see trusts given more control over the balance of staff and patient testing.

"Trust leaders also want as much detail as possible on how quickly testing will be ramped up."

Trust leaders keen to hear exactly how many ventilators will be available and when

Chris Hopson said:

"Lessons from other countries show that ventilation support is crucial for covid-19 patients. Trust leaders are keen to maximise this capacity especially for the immediate peak of demand in the next month.

"It is welcome that the government is working with manufacturers, both in the UK and abroad, to increase production, and it is good to hear today that these will begin reaching the front line next week.

"Trust leaders look forward to hearing exactly how many ventilators will be available and when so that they can incorporate these into their plans.

"They will then be able to determine how much pressure there is likely to be on ventilation support over the next month."