SALISBURY Medical Practice is asking patients to bring their own face masks to appointments, in a bid to ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) levels "remain safe for the foreseeable future".

Following the recent change in Government guidelines, the surgery on Wilton Road is urging residents to create their own PPE so the site's resources can be reserved for staff.

If patients are unable to make a mask however, handmade reusable face masks supplied by the Salisbury Makers Hub will still be available in the practice's entrance for a small donation.

These were already bought by the team, with £2 from every mask donated to Salisbury District Hospital's charity, the Stars Appeal.

Staff will also supply surgical face masks to patients when required.

Salisbury Medical Practice said: "In response to recent Government guidelines, we are asking that patients now bring their own handmade face mask or covering when attending the practice for an appointment. This is to ensure our PPE levels remain safe for the foreseeable future.

"The GOV.UK website, [has] instructions for how to make masks at home.

"Please remember that social distancing and effective hand washing are the best ways of protecting ourselves and each other, and face masks are not a replacement for this."