CAMPAIGNERS claim a lack of PPE for frontline NHS staff underlines shocking Government ineptitude, as a Southend nurse’s life hangs in the balance as he battles Covid-19.

Activists who have criticised a lack of PPE for frontline NHS workers in Essex say they are “enraged” to hear the Government may have skewed figures on stocks of vital equipment.

It comes as nurse Felix Khor continues to fight coronavirus at Southend Hospital, which has been criticised for its lack of PPE.

However, a spokesman for Southend Hospital said there had always been sufficient stocks of protective equipment.

A BBC Panorama investigation on Monday accused ministers of counting 547million gloves individually, instead of as 273.5million pairs, to fiddle PPE numbers.

A package of one billion items of personal protective equipment also included items which are not considered PPE, including millions of cleaning products, waste bags, detergents and paper towels.

A spokesman for Save Southend NHS said: “It’s now been 29 days since a frontline male nurse at Southend Hospital has been in intensive care and on a ventilator. We are saddened and yet also enraged by what is happening to our frontline colleagues and workers - not just in Southend but across the nation.

“Panorama revealed facts that we, numerous healthcare staff and other campaign groups have highlighted continuously. The Mid and South Essex Hospital group and other trusts have been changing PPE guidance for some time and now we know why - the government manipulated Public Health England guidance to suit the stock they had to protect staff - not enough stock.”

In January Covid-19 was designated as a “high consequence infectious disease” which prompted the Health and Safety Executive to tell health staff they needed to wear a respirator face mask, a full face visor and gloves.

The virus was later downgraded with staff told they would only need an apron, alcohol hand wash and gloves as it emerged there would not be sufficient protective gear.

Despite warning of the consequences of a possible pandemic as far back as 2009, Government had failed to stockpile the right PPE, despite being advised to do so. There were also no visors, swabs or body bags stockpiled despite preparations. While 33 million respirator masks were on the government’s shopping list, only 12 million had been handed out.

Public health expert, Prof John Ashton slammed the Government, saying it had “failed to recognise the enormity of what was coming our way.”

Southend Hospital would not comment on Mr Khor’s condition but a spokesman said: “There has never been a lack of PPE at Southend Hospital.

"The safety of our staff is our absolute priority and we have worked incredibly hard to ensure there have always been sufficient stocks of protective equipment for every member of staff who needs it.

"We fully comply with the Public Health England guidance on the use of PPE.”