Medics in call for better PPE

There is a warning Scotland’s hospitals could see a rise in staff absences unless workers are given a better standard of PPE.

An open letter to the UK’s political leaders has attracted the support of more than 1,000 medics.

It claims there is growing evidence that tiny Covid particles can spread through the air and calls for staff on general wards to be given the same level of protective equipment as worn by those working in ICU.

Lewis Hughes, a Junior Doctor in the West of Scotland, is among those to have signed the letter: “ICU staff have at least half the rate of infection that other hospital staff do and they have a higher grade of PPE which the World Health Organisation recommends.”

The current guidance for hospital staff is to wear surgical masks in most areas.

FFP3 masks, which include air filters, are only required in intensive care settings or when procedures are carried out that are known to generate aerosols.

Dr Hughes warns a failure to improve the standard of PPE for all hospital staff could result in more having to self-isolate or be forced off work through illness: “Fewer staff means that we can have as many of beds as we want, but patients will not be treated safely if the staff capacity is not there to provide that care. It also means important treatments like operations, investigations for cancer and other conditions face the risk of cancellation.”

In response, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The safety of our frontline staff is paramount so it is vital that every effort is made to ensure that the fundamental principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) are adhered to at all times, including the appropriate use of PPE, extended use of face masks and coverings, physical distancing, good hand hygiene, good respiratory etiquette and symptom vigilance.

“The advice from IPC experts in Scotland and the UK IPC cell is that the evidence does not currently support a change to the type of PPE we currently use in response to this new strain.

"The Scottish Government continues to review international research and data to ensure that IPC measures and facemask guidance for hospitals and other care settings are in line with the latest evidence and advice.”

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