The RCN in Northern Ireland has written to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to demand their intervention in ensuring the sufficient supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The letter follows reports of a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) available to frontline staff, not just in hospitals, but in GP surgeries, care homes and in the community where nurses are visiting people in their homes.
It also calls on the Northern Ireland Executive and Department of Health to increase the number of tests for the virus for nursing staff so that those with possible symptoms of COVID-19 know whether they are infected or not.
In the letter, RCN Northern Ireland Director, Pat Cullen, says: “Nurses have been relentless in their dedication and professionalism to protecting the health and wellbeing of the people of Northern Ireland. They must be supported by the Northern Ireland Executive and Department of Health to continue to do this.
“Over the weekend, there were increasing reports of a lack of PPE available to frontline staff - not just in hospitals, but in GP surgeries, care homes and community nurses visiting people in their homes. Our members tell us that they simply cannot obtain enough equipment, in particular, face masks that offer a higher level of respiratory protection (FFP3 masks).
“While we welcome the announcement of further stocks being distributed to health care settings, we will be closely monitoring the situation to make sure these stocks are reaching the right places. working around the clock to deal with this crisis and deserve absolute clarity on how the government and their workplace are protecting them from the virus, given the discrepancies between the UK and WHO infection prevention guidance.
“Finally, priority Covid-19 testing for nurses and health care workers must happen as a matter of urgency. Our members need this in order to do their job while keeping themselves, and their patients, safe.
“Nurses are coming out of retirement, students interrupting their studies, and nursing staff are being redeployed from non-clinical settings, all to support the front-line in the battle against Covid-19.
“While nurses welcome the announcement that O’Neill’s are working to produce more uniforms, we would ask you to continue to personally intervene and act to ensure there is enough PPE, and that testing for Covid-19 is available for all nursing staff and colleagues across the system.”
