Messly and The Doctors’ Association UK Partner to Combat PPE Shortage for COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, the Doctors’ Association UK has been inundated with messages from doctors who are concerned about a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) across the frontline.

We’ve raised your concerns with NHS England and the media for some weeks. The government has responded by giving reassurances, time and time again, that this issue has improved.

Yet we’re still hearing that many still don’t have access to the appropriate PPE, or in some cases that PPE has run out completely. It’s also been suggested that doctors have been discouraged from speaking up about PPE shortages even in such a desperate situation.‍

Now we want to help be part of the solution.‍

Messly has built an app to allow hospitals doctors and GPs to share their local PPE needs in real-time, with total anonymity.  

This will allow us to collect tangible, inarguable data on the PPE situation from the frontline, on a weekly basis. These reports will prove whether or not things are indeed improving, and will ensure that the right supplies will be reaching the right doctors at this critical time.

Whether it’s a lack of eye protection, gowns, masks, or otherwise, you can share exactly what you’re lacking and where it’s required. You can even specify whether you’re working in a high-risk area, or during an Aerosol Generating Procedure such as intubation.

There’s no need to download an app either – it works straight from your phone’s browser – and it only takes around 15 seconds to make a submission.

Once you’ve registered, all data will remain anonymous. No report can be traced back to an individual.

We need you ALL to use this app right now, and keep submitting reports as the situation changes, because this will only work if thousands of doctors participate.

Click here to share your PPE status with Messly & The Doctors’ Association UK‍

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And if you want to voice your concerns, or tell us more about your experiences, get involved with the discussion on social media using the hashtag: #ProtectTheFrontline

‍As the COVID-19 situation develops, we'll be doing everything we can to keep our community updated on all the latest opportunities to help out. In the mean-time, please stay safe, try your best to take all the necessary precautions, and look out for each other during this difficult period.