Remember, PPE is just one way of protecting staff at work. Handwashing, social distancing measures, training, workplace cleaning practices, ventilation, vaccination and risk assessments for staff health also play an important role in infection prevention and control and managing the safety of staff and patients.

For those experiencing symptoms due to menopause, this can sometimes add to the burden of working in intensive areas of practice. HSC Business Services Organisation procurement and Logistics Service manage procurement to all public health and social care organisations in Northern Ireland. Wales Under health and safety legislation, employers have a legal duty to ensure suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out and adequate control measures are put in place to reduce the risk of harm to staff and patients, so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes identifying when PPE is required, and the type of PPE which should be used. PPE is designed to protect you from harmful substances such as chemicals or infectious agents. In some situations such as during the pandemic, it can also help prevent the transmission of infection between staff and patients. The type of PPE you need will depend on the risk assessment, which should include the environment you work in and the procedures you carry out. Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) such as FFP3 masks are a form of PPE and, where a risk assessment or national guidance indicates that they should be used, they must be fit tested by a person competent to do so. The RCN expects all health and social care organisations to have and to follow their policies on the management of latex allergy in staff and patients. For some, PPE is a disabling barrier, for example, employees who communicate well through the ability to lip read will have this communication route disrupted if colleagues are wearing face masks.raise awareness amongst staff of the signs of dehydration and heat stress and measures that can be taken to reduce the risk It is recognised that wearing PPE for long periods can also create additional health and safety risks for nursing staff. PPE can be uncomfortable and potentially lead to heat stress, fatigue and heat related illness. We understand that patients or their families may not want to have the window open in advance, particularly when the weather is cold. Worry about heating bills may also be a consideration. However, for your safety and also to protect them, it is really important to encourage this and the following of Government guidance for ventilation homes. The RCN expects that all employers support their staff to make known their needs in respect of PPE.

Next, fold the main fabric in half, with the right sides facing inward. Line the template with the fabric and secure them together with sewing pins. This will ensure that the fabric will not move while you work. Unnecessary glove and apron use and double gloving, represents a waste of resources and may have implications for the skin/comfort of health care workers who wear these for long periods of time. Double gloving

If there is an urgent requirement that cannot be currently met, please call the National Supply Disruption Response (NSDR) team on 0800 915 9964. Your employer should work with you to ensure that any risk of PPE affecting your impairment and ability to continue in your role is recognised and processes put in place to mitigate the risk. This may mean adjusting processes around donning and doffing of PPE, exploring options for adapted PPE and/or opportunities to fit PPE, and be confident that it is fit for purpose prior to use in a clinical setting.

Current Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK)Resuscitation Guidelines(2021) maintains early CPR and defibrillation give people the best chance of survival in any setting. RCUK have also published guidance on COVID-19.The advice states that for those working in health care settings, the use of FFP3 masks or respirators as well as eye protection, is still recommended when performing chest compressions for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Aerosol generating procedures PPE, in particular FFP3 mask/respirator and eye protection, should be donned as swiftly as possible to avoid any delays in treatment. The Health and Safety Executive also provides guidance for employers and employees on reasonable adjustments. Raising concernsWearing PPE can be uncomfortable and can lead to heat stress, fatigue and heat related illness. It is recognised that wearing PPE for long periods can also create additional health and safety risks for staff. Our publication Removing disabling barriers at work and our online guide on health ability passportscover the benefits of a diverse workforce including those with impairments and the reasonable adjustments process.