Nurse: PPE still inadequate
THE faceless frontline nurse who posted a video demonstrating the “flimsy” PPE Covid nurses wear has spoken of their fury that nothing has changed.
In May, the Record told how the nurse had disguised themself in order to show how the aprons and masks they are issued did not protect them properly against the virus.
Last night the nurse, who works for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, said: “The effort I put in to raise awareness of the problem was unbelievable but nobody is listening.
“Ninety per cent of nurses are wearing surgical type 2R masks but they should be wearing FFP3 masks. Everybody knows that but our health bosses won’t admit it.
“They are hiding behind Government guildelines. But the guidelines actually say nurses should wear what they feel they need to protect themselves. However, what we need isn’t being supplied.”
The nurse said the video was a “desperate call for help”.
In the video, they say: “Despite numerous complaints about not being protected and multiple health care workers getting ill and dying from Covid-19, the NHS and the Scottish Government still think it is OK to issue this useless PPE to vulnerable staff, putting them at risk.”
And they said only when patients are intubated are nurses given higher grade PPE, including the FFP3 masks.
Last night, the nurse said: “Patients are coughing all over the place and right in your face. It is unbelievable. A cough is an aerosol but when we ask about PPE for aerosols, the health board says it is not an aerosol-generating procedure. It doesn’t need to be, a cough is an aerosol anyway. These nurses are putting their lives at risk to help these patients but no one is helping them.”
It is understood in Inverclyde Royal Hospital at the moment seven nurses in the Covid receiving ward are currently off work having contracted the virus. NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde admitted: “We are treating a small number of patients with a Covid-19 positive diagnosis at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and there are also a small number of our staff who have also been diagnosed with Covid-19.”
The nurse added: “The NHS know that coughing is how viruses and pathogens spread but they are not protecting us against them. It is obscene.
“Nurses are generally fit and healthy people so most are not badly affected by the virus but they are taking it home to their husbands, wives, children and parents, who may be far worse affected.
“It is seven months since I made the video and nothing has changed other than NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde spending a lot of time trying to find out who I am. The culture in there is one of fear and intimidation preventing nurses from speaking out on serious issues like this.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon promised the Record several months ago she would have another look at PPE worn by nurses but to date there have been no changes.
Last week, Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie called for a “review” of staff protection.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “All our PPE provision is based on expert clinical advice. It has to comply with the relevant health and safety standards, based on the latest evidence.
“Evidence suggests Covid-19 is predominantly ly transmitted via droplets and contact with contaminated hands or environment. Therefore, , alongside hand hygiene and distancing, type 2R fluid resistant surgical masks are recommended d for most scenarios.
“FFP3 respirators protect against airborne e transmission, which is different from droplet transmission. Aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) can create a risk of airborne transmission n of infections that are usually only spread by droplet roplet transmission. Therefore, when undertaking AGPs, UK IPC Guidance recommends that individuals should wear FFP3 respirators.”