New PPE guidance welcomed
NEW guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus outbreak has been welcomed by the leader of Inverclyde Council.
Councillor Stephen McCabe says today’s joint statement from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), the Scottish Government and trade unions is important in providing clarity on what type of PPE should be used and when.
The guidance makes clear that social and home care workers can wear a fluid-resistant face mask along with appropriate PPE where the person they are visiting is neither confirmed nor suspected of having Covid-19.
Cllr McCabe said: “The council fully supports the new guidance issued today by the Scottish Government, Cosla and trade unions regarding the use of PPE.
“In times of great uncertainty, the guidelines provide greater clarity for our vital frontline staff working in the health and social care sectors.
“It’s important that our key workers get all the protection they need and that there’s no confusion around the matter.”
The new guidance says that social and home care workers are ‘professionals and we trust their professional judgement’ on deciding the level of PPE protection they require and when.
It has been endorsed by the public health offices of the UK Government and all devolved administrations, respective chief medical and nursing officers, as well support from the Royal Colleges and expert scientific groups.
Councillor Robert Moran, Convener of Health & Social Care, said: “There have been a lot of concerns raised about the use of PPE and I hope this new comprehensive guidance goes a long way to allaying those concerns at a time when our key health and social care staff have enough on their plates.
“We cannot thank them enough for the incredible work they are doing.”
The full guidance is available from the Health Protection Scotland website at www.hps.scot.nhs.uk