Charlotte Crosby called out for 'insensitive' hen's night photo

Charlotte Crosby has been criticised for a Instagram post showing her wearing a medical-style face masks with a group of friends.

The UK reality TV star, 29, who most recently appeared on Australia's version of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, is shown with three friends, each wearing a black face mask that reads: 'Bali B-tches'.

Crosby isn't the only Instagram influencer being called out for posing in a face mask amid a shortage of the product. Designer face masks have also made appearances on the Rich Kids of Instagram page, seemingly being used as a chic fashion accessory instead of a potentially life-saving item.

With the coronavirus pandemic worsening, there is a world-wide shortage of medical masks that is also impacting Australia and the UK, with members of the public panic-buying the item in an effort to stay safe.

Earlier this month, Autralian GPs told ABC they had resorted to buying masks at hardware store Bunnings in order to continue working in their practices.

Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) president Harry Nespolon told the ABC the shortage "underlines the fragility of the healthcare system".

"We would rather that healthcare facilities had healthcare-standard masks and that we don't have to resort to workarounds," he said.

"It just underlines the importance of the Government supplying the masks and other personal protection equipment, not only to general practitioners but also, for example, aged care facilities."

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The Department of Health has recommended medical masks only be worn by those affected by coronavirus, particularly when leaving isolation for any reason including for doctor's appointments, as well as medical professionals working on the front lines of the crisis.

Earlier this month the Australian Government sourced an additional 54 million face masks to help protect medical professionals working to stop the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said: "The Morrison Government is taking this outbreak seriously, and our actions to date have meant we have been able to stay ahead of the curve.

"We will continue to work to secure additional masks to ensure the National Medical Stockpile remains well stocked, and Australia has enough personal protective equipment to support our medical professionals as the COVID-19 outbreak unfolds.

"This includes boosting domestic manufacturing capability and capacity."

For the latest health advice on coronavirus visit the Australian government Department of Health website.