Responding to the letter from Professor Stephen Powis, Professor Yvonne Doyle and Professor Carrie MacEwen on the supply and safety of personal protective equipment (PPE), the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said:

“We’ve been calling for a clear statement on the PPE guidance so front line clinicians can feel as safe as possible as they treat and care for patients.

“Frustratingly this has taken a long time to arrive.

“It includes a clear statement that the guidance was updated a few weeks ago to reflect better understanding of how COVID-19 is spread and no other reason. It also makes clear that the current guidance is more rigorous than the current World Health Organisation guidelines on the use of FFP3 masks.

“National NHS leaders say it will be important that trusts support staff in following this guidance, so PPE kit is used appropriately and the NHS can ensure the right equipment is available to all, both now and in the future.

National NHS leaders say it will be important that trusts support staff in following this guidance, so PPE kit is used appropriately and the NHS can ensure the right equipment is available to all, both now and in the future.

“It’s very helpful that this guidance is backed by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges which represents all the key medical specialties and we hope this will restore the confidence of front line clinicians that the NHS has been in danger of losing.

“Alongside this clarification, it’s vital that NHS national leaders ensure continuous, uninterrupted, supply of all the items needed for staff to be able to follow this guidance.

“Taken together, this will hopefully be the reset moment on PPE that we all need and that trust leaders have been calling for over the last week.”