Switch to FFP3 now, says union

Nursing union the RCN has repeated its call for a change to infection control guidance after the government's Sage scientific advisory released a document that says health care workers may need higher standard respiratory protective equipment when caring for patients with Covid-19 outside of intensive care units (ICUs).

The current guidance for non-ICU situations says surgical masks are adequate, but the RCN fears they do not protect against airborne spread of the virus, and has long called for nursing and midwifery staff to be issued with the higher standard FFP3 respirators.

RCN professional lead for infection prevention and control Rose Gallagher said: "The assessment by Sage is a step in the right direction but we need the UK infection prevention and control guidance to reflect this change, so that health and care organisations feel confident they can apply it in line with local circumstances and risks.”

https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/news/uk-covid-19-scientists-recognise-need-for-higher-standard-ppe-for-health-care-workers-260421

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/scientific-evidence-supporting-the-government-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19