The Army will be brought in to help get deliveries of protective equipment to frontline NHS staff who are battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Hospital trusts have been told they will be receiving deliveries of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, safety glasses, gloves, aprons and protective suits "around the clock" during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Army is being brought in to support the supply chain after NHS staff warned they do not have the correct equipment to protect themselves as they treat hundreds of patients with coronavirus.

Army trucks will deliver the equipment to "all who need it", health secretary Matt Hancock said on Monday.

Over the last few days, NHS England said "millions more items" of PPE have been delivered to hospitals, ambulance trusts and care homes, among others.


Mr Hancock told Sky News a PPE shipment was sent to every hospital over the weekend and he is making sure "there is a constant flow" but trusts need to let him know if there are gaps.

His announcement came as Boris Johnson considers sweeping new laws to implement a nationwide lockdown after appeals to the public to stay indoors are largely being ignored.

:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

More than 5,700 people have been infected with COVID-19 in the UK, with 281 deaths.

Almost 4,000 NHS workers signed a letter in the Sunday Times calling on the prime minister to "protect the lives of the life-savers" and resolve the "unacceptable shortage of protective equipment".

They said many medics are "putting their lives on the line every day" by treating patients with COVID-19 without appropriate protection.

NHS England said the Army would "play its part" from this week, offering personnel to "help to manage and offload supplies in busy NHS settings" and distributing PPE supplies to the frontline.

The PPE supply chain has been under increased pressure due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but also due to a manufacturing slowdown, especially in China, the NHS said.

Health Secretary stresses 2m rule

Emily Lawson, chief commercial officer for the NHS, said: "We need massively increased, urgent volume of these supplies to the frontline in this exceptional set of circumstances.

"Working with our partners, we are now seeing much increased capacity, and a more responsive supply chain to help take us through the coronavirus outbreak. We are extremely grateful for the Army's support in doing so."

NHS staff beg public to stay at home

The health secretary added: "In the face of this unprecedented global emergency, never has the need to bolster our workforce and arm them with the vital tools they need to save lives been more crucial.

"We are taking urgent action to ensure dedicated frontline NHS and social care staff - who are working tirelessly to tackle this outbreak - feel supported.

"We are working round the clock to make sure trucks are on the ground across the country delivering protective equipment to all who need it, so they are well-equipped to continue to fight the virus."

:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker