Nurses at the frontline of the war on coronavirus are facing "impossible decisions" as a "crisis within a crisis" threatens the UK's efforts to beat Covid-19.

Earlier, the heads of unions representing medical staff called the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), like masks and gloves, a "crisis within a crisis" but the government insists the welfare of medical staff is a priority.

The Royal College Of Nursing in the South East says it has seen the number of members contacting them for advice skyrocketing in recent days.

The College runs a daily helpline for members, but over recent days the number of calls received in the region have been at an all-time high.

Regional director Patricia Marquis said: “The calls are heart-breaking. Members are desperate to do the best for their patients but are scared about the risks they are personally facing. Members are facing some impossible decisions between their own or their family’s health and their sense of duty. The calls we have been receiving around personal protective equipment have been challenging. Members are sharing equipment, buying their own supplies or reusing single use PPE.

"It is increasingly obvious that there simply isn’t enough stock in some places especially in social care settings."

On top of the well documented PPE issues union members have reported being threatened with disciplinary action or not being paid unless they work - despite being off sick or in some cases stranded abroad.

"It is increasingly obvious that there simply isn’t enough stock in some places especially in social care settings..."

Ms Marquis added: “We have members in nursing homes who are self-isolating but not being paid; members who are stranded overseas unable to access any flights to get home who are being told by their employer they will face disciplinary action if they are not in work; pregnant women who are being told there is nowhere to redeploy them so they will be forced to start their maternity leave early.

“We have also heard from a huge number of employers who are pulling out all the stops to make sure staff and patients have everything they need at this time. There are some pockets of excellent practice out there. There are also huge numbers of retired members and students who are willingly coming into the workplace to support the effort.

"So many nurses are going above and beyond by working in areas they wouldn’t usually work in and offering their skills and expertise. Nurses have always been amazing, more so now than ever.”

Testing of frontline workers has been slammed and the government is now carrying out 10,000 checks a day, with hopes to reach 25,000 soon.

It is feared without a huge step up in levels of testing fit NHS staff will be forced to stay away from work.

Responding to concerns raised over the last few days the government has insisted testing is its "number one priority" and today head of Public Health England Dr Yvonne Doyle said 25,000 tests a day was achievable.

The University of Kent's forensic science department earlier announced it is donating equipment to the NHS.

To date there have been almost 30,000 recorded cases of Covid-19 in the UK, with 2,352 deaths.

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