Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt has backed the goal of “zero deaths” for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis, demanded by doctors in a letter signed by thousands.   

More than 4600 healthcare workers have signed an open letter penned by two doctors, Sydney paediatric intensivist Dr Greg Kelly and Melbourne psychiatry registrar Dr Benjamin Veness, calling on health authorities to adopt a zero deaths target by providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).

The letter, which also calls on authorities to empower healthcare staff to identify and minimise the risk of infection in hospitals, was sent in early May to the Prime Minister, as well as all state premiers, health ministers and chief health officers. 

While Mr Hunt expressed support for the idea, and a number of state health authorities had indicated they supported the target, the two states most affected by the coronavirus pandemic were yet to commit, Dr Veness said.