Scottish Government U-turn over PPE for care workers

The Scottish Government was forced into a U-turn last night over personal protective equipment for care workers.

Jeane Freeman apologises to care workers over lack of PPE

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman will apologise and withdraw a letter from the Chief Nursing Officer that appeared to suggest weaker guidelines for those looking after older people some of whom are considered ‘extremely vulnerable’ and therefore at higher risk from Covid-19.Professor Fiona McQueen the Scottish Government’s chief nursing officer, had issued new advice earlier this week telling home and social care staff not to wear masks unless the person they are looking after has symptoms of coronavirus.The “supplemented” instructions were issued despite UK-wide guidance, also issued by the Scottish Government making clear workers should have access to all appropriate PPE, thus allowing them to make “real-time assessments” about the risks,

Unions welcomed the decision but expressed anger that it had taken so long to provide carers with guarantees over their own protection.A spokesperson for GMB Scotland said: “Our expectation now is that our social carers will get the full and proper PPE, specifically masks as per the “four nations” guidance of Thursday 2 April, of which Ministers assure us they have sufficient stocks.“It is the Scottish Government’s responsibility to get these stocks to employers and to our carers as soon as possible. We will rigorously monitor the receipt of these vital and potentially life-saving resources. “Further detail on testing is needed as talks focused on “capacity” rather than delivery. “The point of frustration is that the commitments given today could have been given to us weeks ago. “It shouldn’t take a point of crisis to bring people together, especially when the willingness was there from the outset.”A letter addressed to Nicola Sturgeon from care workers criticising a lack of PPE and testing for those in the sector had gained more than 1,200 signatures. Speaking at the coronavirus briefing yesterday, Ms Sturgeon said ministers, unions and Cosla would take part in a call to discuss the issue of PPE for care workers.The First Minister said she was “incredibly grateful” to Scotland’s care workers and added: “If issues and concerns are raised with us we will seek to address these issues fully and quickly.”Tory health spokesperson Miles Briggs MSP said: “There have been significant concerns expressed by home carers and community nurses regarding guidance that they should not wear face mask.“Clearly many home carers and nurses had real concerns that they were being opening themselves up to Covid-19 infection and putting the people they are caring for at risk.“I have raised these concerns with SNP Ministers and please they have been taken onboard and new advice issued.“It has not been helpful that mixed messaging has been sent out and it’s welcome that Jeane Freeman has apologised to home care workers and nurses and guaranteed they will now receive the appropriate Personal Protection Equipment.”Meanwhile, more than 100 medics have signed a letter to the Scottish Government to express concerns over personal protective equipment (PPE).The letter is reported to claim front-line staff are risking their lives dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak because they do not have suitable aprons, masks and eyewear, according to BBC Scotland.The broadcaster reports the medical professionals state they have “grave concerns about the adequacy of what has been given”.Dr Shahzad Hanif, a GP, co-ordinated the open letter.Speaking on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme yesterday, he said: “It’s not just the quantity of PPE, which the government has so far been focused on, but it’s the quality that we feel is simply not adequate to provide enough protection for us. “There are certainly signs the quantity of protective equipment is certainly coming through now, certainly into primary care where I work, and messages I have had from secondary care echo that – that’s less of a concern to us now, to be honest.“It’s more the quality of the equipment that we’re more anxious about now.”The Scottish Government say the protection of medical staff is its highest priority.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The safety of our health and social care workers is paramount. The Scottish Government, Cosla and Trades Unions had a productive meeting this evening to discuss PPE.

“The guidance published on 2 April and agreed by the four nations remains in place and all health and social care staff will continue to have access to appropriate PPE where they need it.

“The Scottish Government will agree a joint statement with Cosla and Trades Unions to underline that social care staff can wear protective masks where they feel appropriate in line with their professional judgement.”