Level of supply of the following personal protective equipment (PPE) items for GPs in contact with possible and confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in the UK as of April 2020
Characteristic
Adequate
Shortages
No supply at all
Don't know
Fluid-repellent facemasks
62.9%
16.8%
8.4%
11.9%
Aprons
79.1%
8.1%
2.6%
10.2%
Gloves
84.5%
4.8%
1.6%
9.1%
Eye protection
50.2%
18.5%
18.8%
12.6%
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The full question was worded as: "We want to ask about PPE to be used by GPs who are in contact with patients with possible or confirmed COVID-19. Over the last week, have you had adequate NHS supplies or shortages of the following PPE?"
Citation formats
PPE supply levels for GPs in the UK as of April 2020
According to a survey of general practitioners in the UK in April 2020, items of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as facemasks and eye protection experienced some shortages during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Almost 19 percent of GPs in contact with possible and confirmed coronavirus patients reported no supply at all of eye protection, with a further 18 percent were experiencing shortages of eye protection. Additionally, there was a shortage of fluid-repellent facemasks for around 17 percent of GPs.
Shortages of PPE have also been revealed by doctors working in high-risk areas such as intensive care, and for hospital doctors who have contact with coronavirus patients.
The latest number of cases in the UK can be found here. For further information about the coronavirus pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.
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British Medical Association . (May 4, 2020). Level of supply of the following personal protective equipment (PPE) items for GPs in contact with possible and confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in the UK as of April 2020 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from /statistics/1111737/ppe-supply-for-gps-in-the-uk/
British Medical Association . "Level of supply of the following personal protective equipment (PPE) items for GPs in contact with possible and confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in the UK as of April 2020." Chart. May 4, 2020. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 21, 2026. /statistics/1111737/ppe-supply-for-gps-in-the-uk/
British Medical Association . (2020). Level of supply of the following personal protective equipment (PPE) items for GPs in contact with possible and confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in the UK as of April 2020. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 21, 2026. /statistics/1111737/ppe-supply-for-gps-in-the-uk/
British Medical Association . "Level of Supply of The following Personal Protective Equipment (Ppe) Items for Gps in Contact with Possible and Confirmed Coronavirus (Covid-19) Patients in The Uk as of April 2020." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 4 May 2020, /statistics/1111737/ppe-supply-for-gps-in-the-uk/
British Medical Association , Level of supply of the following personal protective equipment (PPE) items for GPs in contact with possible and confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in the UK as of April 2020 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1111737/ppe-supply-for-gps-in-the-uk/ (last visited July 21, 2026)
Level of supply of the following personal protective equipment (PPE) items for GPs in contact with possible and confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in the UK as of April 2020 [Graph], British Medical Association , May 4, 2020. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1111737/ppe-supply-for-gps-in-the-uk/
