THOUSANDS of personal protective masks (PPE) have been distributed to doctor’s surgeries across Trafford.

The Trafford and Manchester PPE Mutual Aid Hub recently sent out 10,000 PPE masks to 30 GP practices for their patients to use.

It will allow more patients to see their GP when face-to-face appointments are more necessary. All medical staff at the practices will continue to wear their clinically-appropriate PPE which follows Public Health England’s guidance.

Cllr Jane Slater, the council's health executive member, said: “These masks are perfect for patients to wear, which will enable them to see their GPs in a more personal appointment setting when a remote digital meeting may not perhaps be completely suitable.

“We hope it will encourage Trafford residents who need a face-to-face appointment to attend their GP in confidence that a mask will be provided for them.”

The mutual aid hub has distributed over three million pieces of protective equipment to local primary care providers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Mark Jarvis, the medical director at NHS Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “Our 30 member GP practices in Trafford are encouraging patients to wear face coverings when they come to face-to-face appointments but this is a helpful boost in circumstances where this isn’t possible.”

As a result of the development, all out-of-hospital care environments can fully utilise the hub when their normal supply routes are exhausted.