New PPE guidance means thousands of dying people won’t get urgent care

• Marie Curie struggles to provide frontline care

New PPE government guidance issued overnight means nurses caring for dying people, both with COVID-19 and without, have been thrown into crisis.

The charity Marie Curie, who is on the frontline caring for dying people in the community and hospices, had to cancel 120 visits to dying patients last night and hundreds more may be impacted in the coming days, due to a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The new guidance means those caring for dying people, such as Marie Curie Nurses, will now need to use more PPE such as aprons, gloves and surgical face masks, in households where people have no symptoms of COVID-19, to further protect people.

This comes as supplies of PPE are already at breaking point, despite Government reassurances frontline workers who need them would get them.

Marie Curie, who provides frontline care like the NHS, is getting even less of what they need, despite playing a vital role in relieving pressure on the NHS by keeping people out of over-stretched hospitals, and caring for dying COVID-19 patients.

Whilst the charity welcomes updated guidance that further ensures the safety of patients, frontline staff and loved ones, the increase in requirements means services already at risk of being stopped due to lack of PPE are now even more likely to be suspended momentarily – right when they are needed most.

 Julie Pearce, Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Quality and Caring Services at Marie Curie, said:

 “There are areas where we're able to deliver nursing care without problems, which is great news, but we can only continue to relieve pressure on the NHS by caring for dying people, with and without coronavirus, at home and in our hospices, if we have the right PPE equipment available everywhere. 

 “If we don’t get the PPE we need there is a very real possibility that more visits to patients dying in their homes will need to be cancelled.

 “The supplies of PPE that have been made available to Marie Curie staff to date are, bluntly, not enough. It is a daily battle to get the orders delivered to the right places and we don't know what or when they will arrive.

 “Last night showed the impact of our nurses not getting the PPE supplies they need. This means many more people dying without the essential end of life care they need - and in many cases, it could sadly mean people dying alone.  

 “While we are working really closely with government agencies and representatives around the UK to get the PPE we need, and this is helping, we do need to ensure that charities like Marie Curie, and all healthcare providers on the frontline of the Coronavirus crisis, are supplied with the equipment that keeps families, our staff and patients safe.

 “Marie Curie continues to liaise centrally with NHS Supplies to get what is needed, but NHS Supplies are at breaking point.

 “At the same time, the charity is also looking at innovative ways of supporting patients and their families at this incredibly difficult time, through virtual consultations, and our new Check-in and Chat service and bereavement support line.” 

Mandy Watkins, Marie Curie Senior Healthcare Assistant in Staffordshire said: "I was supposed to be working last night. I feel awful for our patients and their families. We don't mind being busy, we don't mind facing extra pressure, we'll take on anything thrown at us, but not being able to provide care because we don’t have equipment - for us that's heart-breaking."

Julie continued: “This is deeply upsetting for everyone who feel an extreme sense of duty of care and our patients and their families who rely on the support of our services.

“However, we can only continue to do this vital work while we have the right personal protective equipment available.”

Like many other charities, Marie Curie is also facing a devastating effect on its fundraising due to the coronavirus. The charity needs to raise £2.5million a week to continue to run its nursing services and hospices – essential frontline services during this pandemic. The charity has launched an emergency appeal to try and recoup a shortfall in its income.

If you, or someone you know, is affected by a terminal illness and concerned about Coronavirus, our Support Line team are ready to help with the information you need when you need it. Call free 0800 090 2309*. You can also find more information on our website: mariecurie.org.uk/coronavirus