THE army will be drafted in this week to help dish out personal protective equipment (PPE) to NHS workers after the government has failed to do the job.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock admitted yesterday that amid the coronavirus pandemic the government is facing “challenges” in supplying masks, protective spectacles and visors, face shields, mouth-nose protection and protective garments.

Doctors’ Association chairman Dr Rinesh Parmar said front-line medics, including GPs and hospital staff, felt “absolutely abandoned” and like “lambs to the slaughter” due to the lack of effective PPE.

Some of the kit distributed is inadequate, failing to meet World Health Organisation guidance, he said.

Nearly 4,000 NHS workers signed a letter published in the Sunday Times calling on PM Boris Johnson to “protect the lives of the life-savers” and resolve the “unacceptable” shortage of PPE.

A number of medics are in intensive care after becoming infected with Covid-19, including 36-year-old nurse Areema Nasreen who has no underlying health issues.

NHS England said millions more protective items had been delivered over the last few days to hospitals, ambulance trusts and care homes.