More than 100 medics in Scotland have signed a letter to the Scottish Government to express concerns over personal protective equipment (PPE).

The letter is reported to claim front-line staff are risking their lives dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak because they do not have suitable aprons, masks and eyewear, according to BBC Scotland.

The broadcaster reports the medical professionals state they have “grave concerns about the adequacy of what has been given”.

Dr Shahzad Hanif, a GP, co-ordinated the open letter.

Speaking on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme, he said: “It’s not just the quantity of PPE, which the Government has so far been focused on, but it’s the quality that we feel is simply not adequate to provide enough protection for us.

“There are certainly signs that the quantity of protective equipment is certainly coming through now, certainly into primary care where I work and messages I have had from secondary care echo that – that’s less of a concern to us now, to be honest.

“It’s more the quality of the equipment that we’re more anxious about now.”

The broadcaster reports that the Scottish Government claims the protection of medical staff is its highest priority and insisted there are new measures to ensure the right PPE is available “with the highest possible urgency”.

The letter says some health professionals have been issued with equipment which is only to be protective against large droplet spread but not to smaller droplets or anything airborne, as well as eye cover which does not provide enough protection, according to BBC Scotland.

Meanwhile, an open letter to Nicola Sturgeon from care workers has gained more than 1,200 signatures.

It criticises a lack of PPE and testing for those in the sector.

GMB Scotland senior organiser for public services Drew Duffy said: “There has been a fundamental breakdown of trust between Scotland’s care workforce, their employers and the Scottish Government.

“Confusing, and at times contradictory, advice from Scottish Government figures surrounding appropriate personal protective equipment has undermined the efforts of these workers to protect some of Scotland’s most vulnerable citizens from the coronavirus pandemic – and themselves.

We understand - I understand - how crucial it is that health and care workers have the equipment they need for the environment that they are working in

“The thousands of signatures on this letter each represents an essential frontline worker in the fight against the virus and they need urgent reassurance from the Scottish Government that they will be given the protective equipment and testing that they need if they are to safely deliver care.

“The Scottish Government needs to listen and learn from these key workers.”

Speaking at the coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, Ms Sturgeon said ministers, unions and Cosla will take part in a call to discuss the issue of PPE for care workers.

The First Minister said she was “incredibly grateful” to Scotland’s care workers and added: “If issues and concerns are raised with us we will seek to address these issues fully and quickly.”

Addressing the letter, Ms Sturgeon said: “The interim CMO will be reaching out today to understand those concerns and the Cabinet Secretary [for Health] will be meeting directly with the BMA (British Medical Association) and RCN (Royal College of Nursing).

“This is an issue where we will always, always strive to listen to, understand and address concerns that are being expressed.

“We understand – I understand – how crucial it is that health and care workers have the equipment they need for the environment that they are working in.”