Lincolnshire
April 20, 2020 10.33 am This story is over

Days of PPE left, but hospitals boss promises contingencies in place

Bosses said the trust does “not have any immediate shortages” but had concerns over timely replenishment
Andrew Morgan, chief executive of United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust. Picture: Calvin Robinson.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust boss Andrew Morgan has responded to staff who “do not think we are putting their interests first or trying to keep them safe.”

The trust chief executive has issued a letter in which he says the trust does “not have any immediate shortages” of equipment and that it is acting in line with government guidelines.

“I have been concerned to hear that members of our staff do not think we are putting their interests first or trying to keep them safe,” he wrote.

However, his figures reveal that there is concern over the “timely replenishment of stock” with just two days of fluid resistant masks left and three days of gowns – the former due to get extra delivered today (Monday, April 20) and the latter sparking “contingency plans”.

These plans will see staff asked to bag PPE gowns in a tiger-stripe bag and place that inside a clear bag ready for decontamination.

Mr Morgan letter notes there are five days of respiratory protective masks and six days of eye-face protection. However, gloves and aprons both have more than 27 days of stock left.

In his letter, Mr Morgan said: “Teams across the trust are working hard to ensure we have sufficient levels fo PPE and I’d like to reassure you that here in ULHT we do currently have sufficient stocks.

“The concern is timely replenishment of stock, and as a result we are working closely with regional and national colleagues to ensure we have regular deliveries to meet our needs.

“To be clear, our stocks are at a good level. However, we are enacting contingency planning for our gowns, as other organisations are.”

Mr Morgan goes on to remind staff they cannot use their own masks for work, and calls on them to follow guidance in full – including observing social distancing rules and regularly washing hands.

“Please be assured that all decisions we make are made with the safety of our staff and patients at the heart,” he said.

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