NHS managers are seeking to prevent doctors from speaking out about protective equipment shortages, it has been alleged.

The Doctors’ Association reported multiple instances of doctors being told not to comment on social media or talk to the press.Two GPs have been told to stop working rather than “frightening” patients with concerns about lack of equipment. Another GP was told by her local commissioning group to withdraw an appeal for equipment made on social media, the Association said.

Association president Dr Samantha Batt-Rawden said: “At this time when we desperately need every single doctor on the frontline, some have had their careers threatened, and at least two doctors have been sent home from work. This is unacceptable. Doctors have a moral duty to make their concerns regarding COVID-19 public if these cannot be resolved locally. We owe that to our patients.”

The British Medical Association released its own dossier on the effects of equipment shortages. A Shropshire doctor said: “Every single day we work on the respiratory ward and we have to enter a bay full of Covid positive patients multiple times whilst we feel unprotected. We have to walk out of the ward every day worrying that we may pass on Covid to other negative patients merely due to the inadequacy of the PPE.”

A Wolverhampton GP said: “Only this weekend myself and a colleague treated a child with a fever, in an urgent care setting with only a surgical mask, flimsy gowns and gloves as per current PHE advice. This is simply not safe.”

GP committee chair Dr Richard Vautrey said: “Despite the promises about the urgent delivery of personal protective equipment, the reality for many practices on the ground remains the same. We are still hearing reports that many have insufficient PPE supplied to them and don’t know if or when more will be coming.”

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries promised a review of controversial guidance on protective equipment. Speaking last night, she said: “Colleagues working on the frontline are very attuned to how it feels and this can feel quite frightening at the moment, especially if you are seeing patients coming through the door. We are reviewing our guidance to see if we can make some tweaks to ensure people feel safer.”

* In Scotland the government allocated an extra £15 million to practices yesterday, partly to enable them to stay open on Good Friday and Easter Monday. It would also help cover costs of protective equipment and additional staff costs, the government said. The Scottish government says it is providing adequate personal protective equipment to all practices.

GP leaders have raised concerns about the level of equipment provided for health and social care workers in the country, calling for updated guidance. Scottish Royal College of GPs chair Dr Carey Lunan said: “As this pandemic inevitably worsens, GPs along with community nursing colleagues and social carers will increasingly care for the most sick and vulnerable within their own homes and community care settings across Scotland. This comes with inherent risk and all possible steps need to be taken to protect this vital workforce.”

* The UK yesterday reported 3,009 new cases and 381 additional deaths from the virus. US states reported 24,492 new cases and 742 deaths.