‘Nurses will be exposed to virus if they are not given proper protection’
A NURSE has said she is treating coronavirus patients with a “knot in her stomach” amid fears of infection.
She has urged the Department of Health to intervene to ensure workers are better protected from Covid-19.
It came as senior medical leaders across surgery, general practice, anaesthetics and intensive care medicine called on the Northern Ireland government to show leadership and deliver on appropriate safety measures.
The plea came in a joint Royal Colleges statement, on behalf of thousands of medical professionals across Northern Ireland.
The A&E nurse, who spoke anonymously to the BBC’S Stephen Nolan Show, said the World Health Organisation’s recommended medical masks, gown, gloves and eye protection feels insufficient.
“These masks are like paper masks with an attached face shield on them, they are not sealproof masks; we were fit-tested several months ago to wear respirator masks, FFP3 masks, which we’re now not getting to wear at all,” she said.
“They are sealed masks which are fit-tested to ensure there is a correct sealed fit on our face; they cover the nose and the mouth and they ensure that no droplet is going to get in through the mask that we could inhale in.
“This is what we were told we would be wearing — hair nets, the masks, gowns with aprons and gloves — but now it seems it has been stripped to the bare minimum of wearing surgical masks with fluid shields.
“People can buy them off ebay, there were people in Tesco yesterday wearing FFP3 masks, it’s almost as if there are members of the public who are more protected than nurses and doctors that are working on the front line.”
The nurse said she feels fearful as she goes about her work treating coronavirus patients. “We feel exposed,” she said. “I had been with a lady all day, working with bodily fluids, working in very close contact, and I had just got this fluid shield mask with an apron and gloves, and I honestly felt I had a knot in my stomach for most of the day in fear that, if she did come back positive, that was the only PPE (personal protective equipment) I had on.”
She added: “I have yet to speak to a healthcare worker on the front line that says ‘Yeah, our PPE is really good, I feel really well protected’ — because we don’t.”
Earlier, Health Minister Robin Swann said “concrete action” is being taken over Northern Ireland’s supply of PPE.
Coronavirus testing in the region is also expected to be significantly stepped up to 1,100 a day from next week.
Guidance on the use of PPE for healthcare workers is expected to be updated within the next two days.
“This is a very fluid situation and there is inevitably very high demand for PPE. It needs to be emphasised that we have substantial PPE in stock and it is being issued to the system, with more orders placed,” Mr Swann said.
“Steps have also been taken to streamline and improve its distribution, and to ensure the independent care home and domiciliary care providers are supported.
“Ensuring the safety of all staff who are dealing with Covid-19 patients is an absolute priority. It is, of course, also essential that these products are used in line with advice.
“Demand for PPE will inevitably intensify in the days and weeks ahead. We are therefore taking every conceivable step to keep building up our stocks to meet this demand. It is very welcome news that key global supply chains are starting to reopen.
“We will pursue every feasible supply route, both local and international, to enhance our supplies.”
Welcoming Mr Swann’s comments, the Royal Colleges said appropriate supplies of PPE are essential to safeguard workers and patients.
It added: “While we are encouraged by the release this week of 30% of the PPE stockpile, staff need confidence that they can now access the protective equipment they require to look after their patients safely.”
SPIT and bite guards are now available to PSNI officers after the Chief Constable was given the green light to use the equipment in response to the coronavirus crisis.
The chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI), Mark Lindsay, criticised the PSNI for being the last police service in the UK to use the guards.
The guards are made of mesh and plastic and are placed over the head of a person who is threatening to spit at or bite officers.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said they will be introduced into custody suites over the coming days.
“They will be introduced into that space, the wider introduction of them is a matter between the Chief Constable and Policing Board, I know those conversations are ongoing,” he said.
ACC Todd said there has been “several” incidents of officers getting coughed on or spat at.
“Coughing and spitting over people is reprehensible at the best of times, it is completely reprehensible at the current time, and anyone who does it can expect
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