New PPE guidance for NHS teams

NHS leaders have published new guidance about personal protective equipment for NHS teams who are likely to come into contact with patients with coronavirus.

The guidance, which has been agreed by the four Chief Medical Officers, Chief Nursing Officers and Chief Dental Officers in the UK, is applicable in all parts of the UK and reflects the fact that coronavirus is now widespread in the community, meaning clinicians are more likely to see patients with the virus, some of whom may have minimal or no symptoms.

The guidance recommends the safest level of PPE o protect NHS healthcare workers and specifies the type of PPE that should be worn in the various healthcare settings where patients are cared for.  It is hoped that it will help to protect stock levels from unnecessary use and support staff to use the right equipment.

It advises that any clinician working in a hospital, primary care or community care setting within two metres of a suspected or confirmed coronavirus coronavirus patient should wear an apron, gloves, surgical mask and eye protection, based on the risk. It also suggests that, in some circumstances PPE, particularly masks and eye protection which is there to protect the health and care worker, can be worn for an entire session and doesn’t need to be changed between patients, as long as it is safe to do so.

In the last two weeks, the NHS Supply Chain have delivered 397 million pieces of PPE equipment including, FFP3 masks, surgical masks and other PPE equipment to NHS trusts and 58,000 healthcare settings including GPs, pharmacies and community providers.

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, said: “It is absolutely right that frontline staff have the appropriate PPE so they are safe and can have the confidence they need to do their jobs. Public Health England has updated their advice to provide additional clarity for staff. This was done with the support of a wide range of professional groups and it has my full support. NHS England and the government are working hard to secure the supply lines in this challenging period so staff have the appropriate equipment.”