Cornwall received just 40 per cent of the protective equipment it asked for to help people working on the frontline of tackling coronavirus and helping vulnerable people.

As a result Cornwall Council is leading efforts among the health and social care sector to put pressure on the Government to provide more personal protective equipment – known as PPE.

Council leader Julian German acknowledged that the lack of PPE was not just an issue for Cornwall but for the whole country.

He said that the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board and MPs in Cornwall had taken up the issue with the Government to get more PPE.

Cllr German said it was vital for all frontline key workers including those in domiciliary care, residential homes and GP practices which he said are all “struggling”.

He said: “Our frontline workers are doing an outstanding job caring for residents who are sick or vulnerable.

“Cornwall health and social care providers have highlighted lack of PPE as their biggest concern.”

Cllr German said blue light organisations had also wanted to provide more support to health and social care providers but “the absence of PPE has hampered their efforts to do so”.

He said that Cornwall had received an allocation of PPE through the local resilience forum but this was 40 per cent of what was required.

He added: “We must get more. Cornwall Council is doing all that it can to make sure that this is the case.”

Cllr German said the health and social care system had been working to ensure that the PPE available was delivered to where it is needed most.

But he said the amount received from the Government meant that all settings only have a limited short-term supply.

He added: “It is imperative that we receive much more.”