Coronavirus: Doctors demand urgent ‘clarity’ on whether to wear protective gear to see all patients

'GPs across the country have never been more concerned, not just for the safety of themselves and their teams, but for patients too,' says Royal College of General Practitioners

Family GPs need “urgent clarification” from the UK government on whether they should wear protective equipment when seeing all patients and not just those with suspected coronavirus.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock to provide clarity for GPs, and said infected patients with no symptoms could still infect medical staff.

Currently, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) for all face-to-face consultations is not recommended by Public Health England.

Professor 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 added the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation that family doctors also use eye protection, which includes goggles or face shields, during consultations.

But most practices do not have sufficient access to eye protection and are also concerned about the use of aprons and full body cover when seeing patients.

“As the situation develops further, GPs will see an increasing number of patients with COVID-19… It is therefore vital that urgent clarity is provided as to whether GPs should be wearing PPE for all face-to-face patient consultations,” he added.

Doctors and nurses across the NHS have expressed urgent concern over the shortages of personal protective equipment, which the government said it is working “round the clock” to resolve.

Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, said on Monday that extra supplies are being supplied to hospitals, pharmacists and GPs, as well as social care providers.

He said: “We’re manufacturing and importing very large quantities now. In recent days we’ve taken receipt of almost three million face masks, for example.

“So PPE will get to the front line as soon as possible.”

Mr Marshall said: "We have been encouraged to hear that millions of pieces of PPE have been ordered - and we need to see this making its way to GP practices, as well as hospitals, but we also need clarity about how to most effectively use it, and reassurances that all elements of the PPE we receive is safe.

"We are living and working in unprecedented times — GPs are aware of this and are stepping up the the challenge and the College recognises that a huge amount of work is ongoing to ensure the NHS will be able to cope with COVID-19.

"But our members are worried, not just for themselves but their patients and it's important that the Goverment understands their concerns so that they can be rectified."​