Question reference: S5W-34267
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 23 December 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 11 February 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the PPE requirements for health and care staff, in light of the transmissibility of the new variant of COVID-19.
Answer
The advice from Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) experts in Scotland and the UK IPC cell is that the evidence does not currently support a change to the type of PPE we currently use in response to this new strain.
The Scottish Government continues to review international research and data to ensure that IPC measures and facemask guidance for hospitals and other care settings are in line with the latest evidence and advice. We already have strong measures in place to protect patients, such as the extended use of face masks and coverings, physical distancing, risk-assessed patient care pathways, testing and the appropriate use of PPE, to minimise nosocomial transmission as far as possible. All staff should exercise the risk assessment process when donning PPE in line with the transmission-based precautions for COVID-19.
The extant IPC and PPE guidance can be accessed via the Scottish COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Addendum for Acute Settings. The guidance is continually reviewed in line with the latest evidence and advice.