FRONTLINE NHS workers battling coronavirus are being left with physical as well as emotional scars.

Doctors and nurses wearing facemasks, visors, and gloves during long shifts say PPE can leave them with bruises and sore skin.

A receptionist at a GP surgery in Royal Wootton Bassett decided to do something to help.

Working alongside Body Shop, Emily Baker is collecting donations from customers to give face sheets and sweets to medics who are treating Covid-19 patients in hispital.

She said: “I’m doing this as a way of giving back to them.

"Frontline workers in hospitals are having to wear PPE almost 24 hours a day, all week. It takes a toll on their skin and so I’m getting involved in this incentive to help them in a little way.”

The face sheets, which are designed to hydrate the skin, will be handed out at Great Western Hospital as well as others around the country.

Emily has already collected more than 130 masks for staff at GWH.

She said: “I’m also looking to get some to the staff at the Prospect Hospice.

"I think it’s just a nice thing to do for them.

“It’s a simple thing and lots of people have wanted to get involved, which is great. Posting about it online has helped spread the word. No profit is being made – it’s just an act of kindness.”

Emily has worked for the NHS for the past three years and says the Bassett practice – like all others – has found itself under pressure since March 2020.

She said: “It has been overwhelming, especially as we’re in another lockdown.

"People are struggling more, although they expected it a bit more. We’ve just had Christmas and now we’re back under restrictions.

"Patients have found it very hard.”

During the first lockdown, the Body Shop donated hand cream to NHS workers to keep their constantly-sanitised hands moisturised.

Emily said: “It’s really nice to give something back and the pressures they’re under is astounding.

"People just have to watch the news to understand how bad it is. But it is different for those who actually work in it.

“It means a lot to me as someone who works in the NHS, it’s great to see so many people have jumped on board and are thankful for their hard work.

“January is a tough month for everyone, we’re in lockdown, people are on furlough, so seeing this response is brilliant.”

To make a donation email emzbaker@hotmail.co.uk