Helen Whyley said: “I have already expressed my concerns to the First Minister and Health Minister for Wales and unfortunately, the problems continue. My members are telling me that there is a lack of PPE available to them in hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes, hospices and for community nurses caring for people in their own homes. Essential equipment such as face masks, eye protection and hand sanitisers are hard to come by.
Nursing staff have stepped up to the challenges presented during the COVID-19 crisis. Many are coming out of retirement to help with health care in their local area. How can we ask these nurses and those currently employed to turn up for work every day without access to basic health and safety equipment in order to do so?
And who will care for the people of Wales if nurses and health care support workers contract COVID-19? We know that there is already an increase in health care staff across the country who are self-isolating with suspected symptoms.”
In her Letter, which compliments a similar letter from Dame Donna Kinnair, General Secretary and CEO RCN, to HSE, Helen Whyley asks the regulatory body to issue instructions to all providers of care, where patients are being treated for or are suspected of COVID-19 infection in Wales.
