Coronavirus: GPs demand 'clarity' over protective gear guidance

GPs are demanding "urgent clarification" from the government on whether they should now wear protective equipment to examine all patients.

Family doctors now wear it if they see a patient with suspected coronavirus. But the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock to ask if GPs should wear it for all face-to-face consultations. It says patients with the virus but no symptoms could still infect staff.

The BBC understands GPs in some surgeries have decided to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for all face-to-face consultations, but this is not currently recommended by Public Health England.

In the letter, Prof Martin Marshall, chairman of the RCGP, wrote: "GPs across the country have never been more concerned, not just for the safety of themselves and their teams, but for patients too. They are unsure as to whether they have enough supplies [of PPE], either now, or as the crisis deepens".

"They are not confident that the current guidance provides the necessary clarity about whether GPs are using the right type of equipment, at the right times," he said.

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Source: BBC News, 26 March 2020