Fórsa has sought an HSE commitment that adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided to staff who need it, and that workers will get proper training in its use and disposal. 

In new advice to members, the union has also urged them to ensure they’re appropriately trained in the use of any PPE they need, and have proper protections before working in high-risk environments.

Also this week, the HSE has produced videos on the use of PPE, which you can watch HERE, aimed at those working in acute hospitals.

The health service has also released education modules for staff, explaining how to put on and take off PPE safely. To complete these modules, workers can search ‘putting on and taking off PPE in acute healthcare settings/in community healthcare settings.’

The HSE has moved to ensure much more adequate supplies of PPE following fairly widespread shortages at the outset of the crisis.

It says that concerns about standards in some items recently delivered from China were mostly related to familiarity with the equipment. 

For instance, according to Professor Martin Cormican the delivery included cover-all suits rather than the gowns usually used by Irish health workers. He said these were perfectly safe and usable once proper training was given.

Other items, dubbed ‘passable but not preferred,’ are only being used where the first choice of equipment is unavailable. These items still offer a substantial degree of protection and will keep contamination off the person’s body.

The HSE is also stressing that PPE should only be used when it’s likely to be beneficial. Otherwise stocks will be depleted with no additional safety benefits.

The HSE has also secured a secondary line of supply to ensure alternative products are available if and when needed.

For more information, click HERE.