Coronavirus: Nurses write to health minister for PPE clarity

Healthcare workers in PPEPAUL ELLIS/AFP
By Marie-Louise Connolly
BBC News NI Health Correspondent

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in NI has written to the health minister to seek clarity over the reuse of personal protective equipment (PPE).

BBC News NI understands the letter was sent after Public Health England changed its guidance on PPE use.

It said it approved the reuse of PPE, where there were acute shortages and it was safe to do so.

Health Minister Robin Swann said the guidance had not been implemented in NI yet but he could not make promises.

The total number of Covid-19-related deaths in Northern Ireland announced by the Public Health Agency, is now 207 after a further 13 deaths were announced on Monday.

'Working strenuously'

Public Health England said its advice about PPE should only apply where items are not available and should be considered a temporary measure until the global supply chain is adequate to meet the UK's needs.

But the Royal College of Nursing in NI said it was not consulted on the change and had asked Mr Swann not to implement the new guidance in Northern Ireland.

However, the health minister said he would not give nurses a reassurance he could not stand over.

The Department of Health had not yet asked anyone to re-issue or re-use PPE, said Mr Swann.

"I hope it doesn't happen, we're working strenuously across all government departments," he said.

"I will do all I can to make sure they have the PPE when they need it, as they need it - but I'll never make them a promise that I cannot stand over."

Pat Cullen, RCN NI director, had urged the executive to reject the guidance from England, and said nurses had received no assurances from the health minister.

"That's not right. It shouldn't have to happen," she told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme.

Pat Cullen, RCN NI director, said the health minister had been asked to reassure them that they will not have to reuse PPE

While it is understood that the other devolved nations have already committed not to implement the revised guidance, the Department of Health in Northern Ireland said: "This guidance on the reuse of PPE is not implemented in NI at this point.

"And if or when it might be required, the department will consider this, taking account of the national and scientific evidence and will provide further advice at the appropriate time.

"Such consideration will be undertaken if required, and only following full engagement and in consultation with professional bodies and trade union representative organisations."

A spokesperson said that following earlier guidance, issued on 10 April, on "where PPE can be used for single use or on a sessional basis", updated advice regarding the reuse of suitable visors and goggles would be issued through the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland.

"The department fully understand that staff on the frontline need reassurance," continued the spokesperson.

"The department has set up a new dedicated email contact point for all staff to raise PPE concerns."

That email address is Covid-19PPE.queries@health-ni.gov.uk.

The RCN said it was seeking further clarification.

On Monday, Northern Ireland's Chief Nursing Officer Charlotte McArdle said "large quantities" of PPE have been flowing into the independent care sector in Northern Ireland.

She said last week, 1.9 million items of PPE had been distributed across care homes and the domiciliary care sector, while the previous week the figure had totalled 1.7 million items.

Prof McArdle said she understood the concerns about enough supplies and staffing pressures, but that there were resources in place to support staff in all circumstances.

First Minister Arlene Foster said the health minister now updates the executive on a weekly basis about how much PPE there is in stock, and that it was an "evolving situation".

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said it would never be acceptable to issue guidance to re-use PPE.

"It's our job to try and track down every single piece of data and get our hands on [it]," she said.

She added that there were three supply chains for PPE being "constantly sourced" by Stormont - local manufacturers retooling, through channels in Great Britain and from suppliers in China.