Commenting on the issue of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for health and social care workers in Wales, Helen Whyley, RCN Wales Director, said: “PPE is essential for keeping our members safe from infection. The health minister’s written statement yesterday was supposed to reassure us that clinicians would have the necessary supplies.
It goes some way to doing that but we still need guidance on demand and supply of PPE. We expect the Welsh Government Emergency Coordination Centre to ensure it has heard the concerns of nurses working on the front line on a regular basis, to get this right.
The Welsh Government needs to issue guidance to all Health Boards and health care employers around usage so that all clinical areas are consistent in their distribution of PPE to nurses and health care support workers and their key safety messages to staff.
Let’s be clear: Nurses have been committed, dedicated and patient while awaiting PPE but their altruism is drying up. The added stress and anxiety of not knowing if they will receive PPE is intolerable. We would never ask any member to work in an environment that would leave them vulnerable. Nurses are the lifeline of health care services. Let’s please make sure we support and protect them.”
