Significant work still needed to deliver testing plan

The deputy chief executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery said:

"We welcome the commitment to significantly increase testing, but it is clear there is still a lot of work to do to build up enough diagnostic capacity to achieve this.

"Trust leaders will be pleased to hear that the government is now working closely with partners from across the university, research, pharmaceutical and commercial sectors to rapidly grow the facilities and equipment needed to carry out testing in the numbers required.

"Trusts across the country have been rapidly ramping up staff testing and we’re pleased that 5,000 tests have now been carried out. But there are still trusts that are unable to begin testing, and lack of swabs, reagents and test kits is a continuing concern.

Welcome updated guidance clarifying PPE, but still need to ensure enough kit for all

The deputy chief executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery said:

"It's clear that frontline staff must have full confidence in the guidance issued by the centre on protective equipment.

"The new and updated guidance should provide much needed clarity for frontline staff who have understandably been worried about keeping themselves and their patients safe. We understand this guidance is evidence based and has the full backing of the clinical community.

"We welcome the fact this guidance has been endorsed by WHO and in several instances goes beyond their standards. It also has the support of the medical royal colleges and professional bodies. We hope this will provide much needed reassurance for trust leaders and frontline staff.

"The new guidance is important for a number of reasons:

1. it is based on latest understanding of how COVID 19 is evolving as an infectious disease
2. it is clear and understandable and well communicated
3. it aims to support staff working in a broad range of health and care settings 
4. it advocates the use of PPE in situations where there is suspected COVID-19 or where health and care workers are unsure if COVID is present

"But the guidance will only be successfully implemented and restore confidence if it is accompanied by the supply and distribution of enough PPE for all organisations, in all care settings.

"Distribution remains a challenge, but has improved significantly with 45 million pieces of kit delivered yesterday and 397 million altogether.

"However, it is still not fully resolved and there are still parts of the health service lacking in the right kit, which is obviously causing concern and anxiety for staff on the frontline."

Nightingale hospital is testament to extraordinary effort being mounted by the NHS

The deputy chief executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery said:

 "The creation of the new Nightingale hospital within two weeks from a standing start is an incredible achievement.

"This is part of a remarkable wider effort to prepare the NHS for the huge pressures we seeing from COVID-19.

"That’s included freeing up space, staff and beds to support additional patients, changing the way we use community services, retraining staff and working with the private sector.

"Last night’s clap for carers reflected the deep well of appreciation for the way the NHS, staff across health and care and other key workers have responded.

"That continuing support is also borne out in the latest public satisfaction figures for the NHS from the social attitudes survey, published today by the King’s Fund and Nuffield Trust.

"The findings, which pre-date the impact of coronavirus, show a sharp increase in public satisfaction with the NHS.

"The fact that this coincided with rapidly rising demand for treatment and severe workforce shortages bears testament to the extraordinary efforts of trusts and frontline staff to provide the very best care possible – often in difficult circumstances.

"And that – more than ever – is what we are seeing today.”