Pictured is Monaghan-based GP Dr Illona Duffy with her own ‘improvised’ face-mask and protective equipment as general practitioners faced the new reality of the Covid-19 pandemic. Following a meeting between the ICGP Covid-19 GP communications subgroup and the HSE leadership, it was announced that a preliminary delivery of essential personal protective equipment (PPE) items would commence dispersal to all GPs from Friday, 13 March, with further supplies to be delivered “over the coming weeks”. Each pack will contain gels, masks, gowns and gloves, an ICGP letter to its members confirmed. “More supplies have been secured and will be made available to GPs over the coming weeks,” the letter stated. “However, supplies are challenging at the moment and we hope that the above initial supply will go some way towards assisting GPs.”
