DUDLEY'S hospital chief has moved to reassure people that hospitals have sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment to keep staff safe from Covid-19.

Diane Wake, chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust which runs Russells Hall Hospital, said the Trust are taking delivery of equipment every day in the fight against coronavirus.

The reassurance comes as reports on social media suggested departments at Russells Hall Hospital had run out of vital safety equipment.

In a statement, Diane Wake said: "I would like to reassure our staff, patients and members of the public that we have sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks, disposable gowns and scrubs to keep our staff safe while they are looking after our patients.

"We are taking delivery of equipment every day and ensuring the appropriate PPE is delivered direct to all wards and departments where it is needed. We are following national guidance for the protection of our staff and that means there are different requirements depending on the nature of their work and the area they work in.

"I completely understand anxiety amongst our staff is running high at this very difficult time but it is important for everyone to know that we are both receiving and using correctly regular supplies of protective equipment, in line with national guidance, to make sure our patients, staff, agency workers, volunteers and other colleagues are protected and can stay safe."

She added staff wearing PPE receive daily training, including face fit training for masks.

Diane Wake added: "We know how hard this is for our staff on the front line and we are ensuring supplies are getting to all areas. The reports on social media are incorrect and causing unnecessary worry and concern. There is no stronger advocate for keeping our staff than me."