THE Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is being asked to intervene on behalf of nursing staff in Wales, amid ongoing concerns over a lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline staff.
Helen Whyley, director of the Royal College of Nursing in Wales - which represents tens of thousands of nursing staff in Wales - has written to the HSE asking it to get tough with all care providers whose staff are caring for patients who have, or are suspected to have, coronavirus (COVID-19).
Her letter compliments a similar missive to the HSE from Dame Donna Kinnair, general secretary and chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing.
“I have already expressed my concerns to the First Minister and Health Minister for Wales and unfortunately, the problems continue," said Ms Whyley.
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"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.”
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