Amid the Coronavirus crisis, NHS workers have had to not use large amounts of the PPE delivered to them, as it didn’t meet certain standards.
A lot of managers sourcing and receiving the PPE have said that they had to either bin or box certain protective gear, because… it wasn’t actually protective enough.
For example, some masks delivered were tested and reviewed and it turned out they weren’t even waterproof, which is essential for treating Coronavirus patients.
This has caused yet another shortage in PPE, forcing workers into using ventilator masks instead, which is almost just as unsafe because they don’t necessarily fit everyone as well as they should.
The Health Care Supply Association has spoken about multiple complaints they have received, saying: “The HCSA are receiving numerous calls and updates from across the country of dangerously low stocks, and when they do receive the much-needed PPE this is followed by calls for them to quarantine or not use the PPE as it does not meet the minimum standards staff and patients need to remain safe.
“Typically, this happens very late at night too, waking up already tired and busy procurement teams that are trying hard to ensure staff and patients remain safe – a task getting harder by the day.”
The spokesperson added: “To date we have had all three masks types recalled – type 2R surgical, FFP2s and FFP3s – and gowns also.
“We are concerned for the weeks ahead if this does not improve.”
As you may know, shortages in protective gear have been a problem since the start of the outbreak, despite it being absolutely essential that certain PPE meets certain standards. Masks need to be able to repel droplets spread in the air by Coronavirus patients, but because many aren’t even waterproof, this is a luxury some front like workers don’t have.
To combat the repeated sourcing of poor equipment, the department of health and social care has now banned hospitals from sourcing their own.
A letter was sent from the DHSC to HCSA officials and hospital chiefs last week, it read: “It is vital that the UK government procures items nationally, rather than individual NHS organisations compete with each other for the same supplies, to protect the health of NHS staff and patients across the whole country.”
But the HCSA responded saying: “Local sourcing outside of the national system (encouraged by previous statements) has for most trusts been the only way to ensure access to a satisfactory volume and range of PPE.
“The HCSA believes that trusts will always need the flexibility and contingency to source locally but this should reduce as confidence in the national system increases.
“We request that existing trust direct orders are honoured, and goods not impounded upon delivery into the UK.”
