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An RAF flight has left to collect a consignment of protective gowns for healthcare workers on the coronavirus frontline.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed the aircraft, expected to be the first of three in total, set off this evening.

They will collect 84 tonnes of personal protective equipment in total, including 400,000 urgently needed gowns.

The products had been set to arrive in the UK on Sunday though this was delayed.

It comes amid fierce criticism over dwindling protective supplies for frontline workers.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak today insisted the Government was doing all it could to get the necessary equipment to those that need it.

Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, has said trusts are being forced into “hand-to-mouth” workarounds.

These actions include washing single-use gowns and restricting stocks to key areas.

While palliative care doctor Rachel Clarke said NHS workers and those in social care are being told to wear “a skimpy, plastic pinny”.

Mr Sunak told reporters at the Number 10 press briefing that work was ongoing to find more PPE.

He said: “We’re improving our sourcing internationally and domestically to make sure we can get the PPE we need in what is a very challenging international context.

“But people on the front line can rest assured that we’re doing absolutely everything we can and straining everything we can to get the equipment they need.”

He also said that today 140,000 gowns had arrived from Mynamar as ministers strained “everything” to get supplies.

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