• Angelos Mantelakis, Harry V M Spiers, Chang Woo Lee, Alastair Chambers, and Anil Joshi.
• Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery Department, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, London UK.
• Ann Work Expo Health. 2021 Jan 14; 65 (1): 136-140.

ObjectivesThe continuous supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the National Health Service (NHS) is paramount to reduce transmission of COVID-19 to patients, public, and staff.MethodsA 16-question survey was created to assess the availability and personal thoughts of healthcare professionals regarding PPE supply in England. The survey was distributed via social media (Facebook© and Twitter©) to UK COVID-19 healthcare professional groups, with responses collected over 3 weeks in March 2020 during the beginning of the pandemic.ResultsA total of 121 responses from physicians in 35 different hospitals were collected (105 inpatient wards, 16 from intensive care units). In inpatient wards, eye and face protection were unavailable to 19% (20/105). Fluid-resistant surgical masks were available to 97% (102/105) whereas filtering facepiece class 3 (FFP3) respirator for 53% (56/105) of respondents. Gloves were accessible for all respondents (100%). Body protection was available primarily as a plastic apron 84% (88/105). All of respondents working in intensive care had access to full-body PPE, except FFP3 respirators (available in 88%, 14/16). PPE is 'Always' available for 30% (36/121) of all respondents. There was a statistically significant difference between London and non-London respondents that 'Always' had PPE available (44 versus 19%, P = 0.003).ConclusionsOur survey demonstrated an overall lack of PPE volume supply in the UK hospitals during March 2020, demonstrating a lack of preparedness for a pandemic. PPE was more readily available in London which was the epicentre of the outbreak. Eye and full body protection are in most lack of supply.© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Occupational Hygiene Society.

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