Chamber and committees

Details are as follows:

The Scottish Government has collected, monitored and published data on NHS staff absences since the outbreak of this pandemic. Data is continually collated from Health Boards on overall absences in the NHS workforce, as well as on the number and rate of absences associated with Covid-19. Covid-19-related absences are recorded on staff displaying symptoms, self-isolating, confirmed to have Covid-19, Covid-19-related caring responsibilities and those contacted by tracers and told to isolate for 14 days.

For the week 30 September – 6 October 2020, a daily average of 1.0% of the workforce were recorded absent for reasons related to Covid-19. The rate of Covid-19 related absence has been steady and decreasing in recent months, with a rate below 2% since late July and below 4% since early May. We will continue to pay close attention to staff absence data in the coming months.

This data does not include whether NHS staff have been wearing (a) a surgical type two, (b) FFP2 and (c) FFP3 face masks when treating people with Covid-19.

1. The evidence is that COVID-19 is mainly spread via droplets and contact with contaminated hands or environment. The Fluid Resistant (Type IIR) Surgical Mask (FRSM) confers 98% source control against droplet transmission.

2. The principle measures to control the spread of COVID-19 remain as hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene - including extended face mask use - and physical distancing.

3. The FRSM should always be worn when health and social care workers are in close contact with their patients/clients/residents and the fluid resistant nature of the fabric means that the droplet cannot penetrate. It’s imperative that they are applied appropriately, fitted around the nose, under the chin and either tied at the back of the head or kept in place with ear loops.

1. In Scotland, all health and social care staff involved in direct patient/client care are required to wear a Fluid Resistant (Type IIR) Surgical Mask (FRSM) throughout their shift. This includes both care homes and care at home.

2. COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through droplets and only aerosolised during certain procedures called aerosol generating procedures (AGPs). When staff are dealing with patients who are either suspected, positive or where their status is not known (person not tested) staff engaged in AGPs must wear a single-use fluid filtering face piece (FFP3) mask, long-sleeved gown, gloves and a visor in line with the UK IPC Remobilisation Guidance.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32260 on 23 October 2020. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government has collected, monitored and published data on NHS staff absences since the outbreak of this pandemic. Data is continually collated from Health Boards on overall absences in the NHS workforce, as well as on the number and rate of absences associated with Covid-19. Covid-19-related absences are recorded on staff displaying symptoms, self-isolating, confirmed to have Covid-19, Covid-19-related caring responsibilities and those contacted by tracers and told to isolate for 14 days.

For the week 30 September – 6 October 2020, a daily average of 1.0% of the workforce were recorded absent for reasons related to Covid-19. The rate of Covid-19 related absence has been steady and decreasing in recent months, with a rate below 2% since late July and below 4% since early May. We will continue to pay close attention to staff absence data in the coming months.

This data does not include whether NHS staff have been wearing government approved PPE or not.

1. Both the UK Government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) and Health Protection Scotland (HPS) have given careful consideration to the available evidence and, during the course of the pandemic, have reviewed what should be considered an AGP.

2. Coughing has been reviewed by NERVTAG and is not considered an aerosol generating procedure (AGP).

3.  A new UK AGP Panel Chaired by Professor Jacqui Reilly has been convened. Its purpose is to provide practical and scientific advice to the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on specific high risk AGPs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, by assessing the evidence on aerosol generating procedures, taking into account the potential route of transmission, for complex and unclear cases where there are differing views, and recommend the appropriate classification. This panel will replace the current NERVTAG group.

Decisions on which type of PPE to use in different settings are based on clinical guidance, and as an employer the NHS is, under health and safety law, responsible for the protection of its staff. No price has never ever been used as a factor in deciding what product is to be issued.

The cost of PPE varies according to the negotiated cost of purchase on the market. The current cost of a single map of each type is as follows:

a)Type IIR mask: £0.16 (July 2020 onwards) – £0.70 (March/April 2020)

b)FFP2 mask (these are not used per guidance, and no longer purchased): £0.98 - £3.00 (March 2020)

c)FFP3 respirator masks: £1.85 - £6.00 (March 2020 to July 2020, prices are now near £2.00)

Health Protection Scotland (HPS) has published guidance on infection control, and this has been included in our updated uniforms and home laundering guidance . This will continue to be kept under review and necessary changes may be made dependent on new evidence.

Health Facilities Scotland has advised that NHS laundry services have enough capacity to meet current demands. This situation is being monitored and planning has been done to ensure capacity can be increased if needed.

COVID-19 is predominantly spread by the droplet and contact route. Fluid Resistant (Type IIR) Surgical Mask (FRSM) offer the correct level of respiratory protection for staff when caring for a patient who is suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive.

In Scotland, we use Fluid Resistant Surgical Masks (FRSM), also known as Type IIR masks, which are different from Type II in that they provide protection for the staff member as well as 98% source control.

We are the only nation in the UK who have taken the approach in using FRSMs as part of the extended facemask use guidance for health and social care staff.

The Scottish Government holds a regular forum with a range of stakeholders including staff side representation which provides an opportunity for any issues with regard to PPE to be raised. In addition we also respond directly to correspondence received from both individuals and organisations.