More than 150 staff members at London’s largest hospital trust attended a clinic after suffering from skin ailments caused by PPE.

Barts Health Trust in east London ran 36 pop up skin clinics to help nurses and care staff who suffered from problems including, acne and hand eczema after wearing gloves and masks while on shift.

The scheme, which was organised by the dermatology teams at the Royal London Hospital and Whipps Cross, provided pharmaceuticals, dermatology referrals and free skincare samples.

Barts Health said dermatologists issued 55 prescriptions, which gave “an indication of how troublesome PPE related skin problems have been”.

A spokesman added: “Pop-up skin clinics have been a huge success at Barts Health. We are immensely grateful to Ionela Tirsar, dermatology nurse, whose enormous efforts enabled the daily organisation and smooth running of the clinics [and] the dermatology team.”