Second personal protective equipment survey of UK nursing staff report: Use and availability of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic (28 May 2020)

Summary

The Royal College of Nursing has undertaken two surveys of health and care staff to identify their experiences and ongoing issues with the supply of and access to personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This report details the findings of the second survey (May 2020).

Content

Key findings

• Over a third of respondents felt pressure to care for individuals with possible or confirmed COVID-19 without adequate protection. This is significantly worse for BAME nursing staff where over half (56%) felt pressure to work without the correct PPE.
• One in five respondents in non-high-risk areas are concerned about the supply of eye/face protection, with a further 12% concerned there are not currently enough for them to use. The situation is worse for BAME respondents where one in four said there was not enough eye/face protection or enough fluid-repellent surgical masks for them to use during their shift
• Twice as many BAME respondents said there were not enough surgical masks, disposable plastic aprons and disposable gloves than white British respondents.
• A third of respondents have not received training on what standard PPE to wear and when they should wear it. Training is more prevalent in hospital settings, than care home and community settings.
• Those working in a care homes were most likely to report that they felt pressured to care for individuals with possible or confirmed COVID-19 without adequate protection (41%) than those working in a hospital (38%) or the community (24%).