** COVID-19 – PPE UPDATE**
Today UNISON said: The situation with regards to PPE for key workers in Argyll & Bute has been at best mixed and at worst disgraceful. The situation on the ground for too many key workers has been lack of clarity and lack of access to PPE. At what is already a stressful period for everyone, not having clear guidance or the kit is sending anxiety through the roof and is dangerous. The UK and Scottish Government published new much improved guidance on PPE on Thursday 2nd April. This was clear that care at home staff and other care workers should have access to masks and eye protection so they can make real time risk assessments and don the appropriate PPE when this is needed. We hoped this would bring swift change on the ground, in too many cases this has not happened yet. This exposes UNISON members and the public they care for to unnecessary risk. UNISON will continue to push that all key workers have access to the PPE they need.
Dawn MacDonald, Branch Secretary, Highland Healthcare UNISON today said “Carers no matter whether employed by the NHS, council, voluntary organisations or the private sector should have the right to protect themselves, patients and others from cross infection. If all carers do not have access to the proper PPE the inevitable consequence will be we will have staff go off sick, thus reducing the very staff pool we need to care for the most vulnerable people in our communities. We have seen already the tragic death of a care at home worker in West Dunbartonshire, we must do all we can to minimise risks to all staff and that is UNISON’s top priority at present locally and nationally.”
Please find the national statement on PPE issues here: https://unison-scotland.org/new-guidance-for-home-and-social-care-staff-in-scotland-puts-home-care-staff-at-risk/
Please find links to national PPE for care workers graphics below: