Guernsey controls "precious" PPE

Friday 03 April 2020

Guernsey is in "as good a place as it could be" while the worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment continues.

The island has not been immune to the issue, which has put healthcare workers across the world in danger.

But, this week saw the arrival of stock from the NHS supply chain, which Health & Social Care has been pushing for, for some time.

"It doesn't mean we've got all the kit we want and we're going to control it really carefully," said HSC Medical Director, Dr Peter Rabey. "But we're able to provide supplies to care homes and other locations as we get requests for help and as we can."

Pictured: Dr Peter Rabey.

The team has been planning ahead for the shortage of equipment and some members of the community have even been lending a hand, using 3D printers to create face visors.

"We're in as good a place as we could be," said President of Health & Social Care, Deputy Heidi Soulsby. "People have stepped up to the plate across the board with this. We know that there's a worldwide shortage and we are getting stock through from the NHS supply chain, but we've also got other channels that we've been taking advantage of.

"We've found local people with contacts who have helped us as well. They don't work for HSC they just, through their business contacts, know people who do this. It has been a real community effort."

The equipment is being used by healthcare workers across the island, carrying on their vital service on the frontline.

Pictured: PPE is being used at the hospital.

"We're sticking absolutely to NHS best guidance on [the use of PPE]," added Dr Rabey. "If the patient has respiratory symptoms, for normal contact with them, the recommendations are we like you to be bare below the elbows, wash your hands, put on a plastic apron, a face mask - either for yourself or the patient if we are in short supply - and gloves.

"If you're doing anything that generates aerosols - and healthcare workers know what I'm talking about - it's quite a difficult level of protection and you need to wear the full kit for that.

"Stick to the guidance, don't waste our precious personal protective equipment and if you've got any questions, ask."

Some members of the community have turned to using their own forms of protective equipment, like cloth masks, when they are out in public. But, there are some safety tips to consider before doing so.

Pictured: Some members of the community have been using masks to avoid the virus.

"There's been quite a lot on the use of cloth masks, reusable masks, putting a scarf across your face and so on in the community," explained Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink. "There's little evidence to suggest this is going to prevent the transmission of the virus that causes covid - we just don't have the data to support that. However, some people may feel reassured by it when they go out.

"If you are going to do that, you need to change the mask every two hours. You need to wash the mask in a washing machine using a detergent, tumble dry it and iron it. If you use a mask inappropriately, you could actually increase your risk of infection. If you touch the outside of your mask, don't wash your hands and then touch your face, you're increasing your risk of infection.

"The advice from us is; if you're symptomatic, stay out of the community.

"If it comforts you to put a mask on, I don't have a particular problem with that. If you ask me if there's evidence to support your doing that I'd say 'there just isn't'. If it makes someone feel better, as long as it's used appropriately, it might provide a little extra protection. But your major protection is going to be your social distancing, washing your hands and self isolating if you have any respiratory symptoms at all."