NHS workers battling the coronavirus have been forced to make their own protective masks from string and plastic, The Herald has learned.
A whistleblower contacted us and alleged that masks are in such short supply at one hospital that nurses, doctors and even cleaners had to improvise.
The source claimed frontline staff at Monklands Hospital, Lanarkshire have fashioned their own personal protective equipment (PPE) from plastic folders normally used in ring binders.
These are then tied together with string to make crude masks of questionable effectiveness.
The mother of a doctor at the hospital contacted us. Her daughter works nights and feels unable to speak out for fear of risking her job.
"It's like sending soldiers to war without guns," she told The Herald.
"NHS staff have been making masks from the folders you find in ring binders.
"There is something wrong with the system if masks are getting to the front line.
"I'm having sleepless night because of this because I know my daughter is not getting proper protection.
"Nurses, doctors and cleaners all need to be protected with proper equipment."
READ MORE: Domino's staff banned from wearing facemasks during coronavirus pandemic
Chris Sanderson, general manager for procurement at NHS Lanarkshire, said it was working to give staff the supply they need.
“NHS Lanarkshire has a responsibility and duty of care to staff to ensure that anything we supply to our hospitals is safe, fit-for-purpose and protects our staff," he added.
“Any NHS Lanarkshire staff wishing to use their own PPE must ensure this is first risk assessed by infection control. PPE below the agreed threshold cannot be used.
“We are receiving regular stocks of PPE and have developed robust systems to ensure all PPE received via National Procurement and locally sourced and approved items are getting to the frontline where they are required to be used according to four nations PPE guidance both in acute and primary care areas (community hospitals, health centres, clinics, the new community assessment centres, testing stations and so on).
“This includes FFP3 masks for areas where aerosol generating procedures are taking place (mostly ICU) and fluid resistant surgical masks for other areas where there are suspected or confirmed Covid-19 cases (cohort wards, ED etc.).
“We have distributed all PPE to GP practices pushed to us via pandemic stockpile and, as of last week, GPs were pushed out 8 weeks’ worth of PPE. There is also a service in place via NSS for the wider health and social care services.”
Do you know why masks are in short supply? Do you work in the NHS and have a story you want to share? Contact jasper.hamill@newsquest.co.uk
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