Nottinghamshire campaign group asks 'Why must NHS make their own protective face visors?'

It comes as orthotics department staff at the Queen’s Medical Centre, responsible for splints and medical devices, are appealing on Facebook for supplies to make their own face masks.

The Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Keep our NHS Public (KONP) group asks: “How can it be acceptable for public service workers to have to supply their own protective equipment and what is the point of the Prime Minister clapping the commitment of NHS staff when his Government can’t ensure the availability of something so basic?

“Ministers appear daily on the TV asking the public to support the NHS, when we pay our taxes so the Government can do just that. KONP has a long history of campaigning for the NHS and we are clear the problem is one symptom of the longer-term refusal to fund our health services adequately.”

Group spokesperson Mike Scott said: “There is a feeling around the country that we should all pull together in this crisis and nobody wants to rock the boat.

“Unfortunately, the Government is using this as a cover for their own inertia and poor decision-making.

“What both NHS staff and the public are looking for is action not just warm words. Other countries are able to support their health service staff properly and there’s no reason why the same can’t happen here.

“The Government needs to listen to front-line staff and, crucially, commit to the level of funding necessary to protect us all in the future.”