Croydon University Hospital has defended itself following accusations it is failing to provide staff with the correct equipment to protect against coronavirus.

The GMB Union, which represents nurses, cleaners, transport workers and catering staff, wants to see all staff given the protection which includes gloves, an apron and face mask.

Southern region officer Helen O’Connor said: “All staff need the personal protective equipment (PPE).

“We would expect to see dedicated coronavirus wards and staff provided with full PPE.

“At the moment I am going round the hospitals, including Croydon, nobody has been given it, they say they are told to only wear PPE if they need it.”

But the hospital has made assurances that there is enough personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep patients and staff safe.

A spokesperson said: “We have enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Croydon to keep our patients and staff safe, but we need to use the stock we have appropriately.

“We are working seven days a week to make sure supplies continue to reach all our staff who need them, and we are following the latest Public Health England guidance to protect against COVID-19 (coronavirus).”

Today it was confirmed that a man and woman in their 90s who both tested positive for the virus died at the hospital.

This follows confirmation that a man in his 80s who tested positive for Covid-19 had died at the hospital on Tuesday (March 17).

As of 9am on March 19 there were 49 confirmed cases in Croydon, up from 32 the day before – although the real figure could be much higher.