NURSES in Glasgow are continuing to raise concerns about the safety of PPE used when testing patients for Covid-19.

The transmission of the virus is thought to occur mainly through respiratory droplets generated by coughing and sneezing and through contact with contaminated surfaces.

According to the Scottish Government, NHS staff are directed to use surgical Type IIR fluid-resistant masks when caring for a patient, known or suspected to be infected with the virus.

However some NHS staff believe those involved in tests should be wearing a higher grade of mask - an FFP2 or FFP3  -  which are more efficient at filtering airborne particles.

The UK government has not designated Covid testing as an “aerosol generating procedure," which means it results in the production of airborne particles or respiratory droplets.

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However, there is some debate over this as testing involves pushing a swab stick down the throat or up the nose, which healthcare workers say usually leads to the patient coughing involuntarily.

World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines state that “airborne precautions” should be taken when performing aerosol generating procedures.

Thousands of police officers in Scotland are being fitted with FFP3 respirator masks, which are used by NHS staff during surgery or  by dentists when drilling teeth.

One Glasgow nurse said: “The police have been fitted with FFP3 masks, yet we are the ones most likely to catch the virus.

"I am not carrying out testing, I have refused to do it but when you test a patient you have to put the swab right down to the back of their throat and up their nose as far as you can. That produces a cough, a sneeze, flem or sick.

“The WHO say any excretions at all like this is aerosol."

Another health source involved in resuscitation medicine, suggested that the NHS should be “erring on the side of caution” regarding staff PPE safety as the threat of a second wave rises.

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Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said it was “deeply concerning” that NHS workers were still expressing concerns about the safety of PPE.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “All PPE is supplied by National Procurement and has to comply with the relevant health and safety standards.

“National and international guidance consistently recommends that health care workers should wear a Type IIR FRSM as PPE when caring for a patient known, or suspected, to be infected with COVID-19.

“The transmission of COVID-19 is thought to occur mainly through respiratory droplets generated by coughing and sneezing, and through contact with contaminated surfaces.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have remained in constant dialogue with frontline staff across health and social care.

“We have taken decisive action to respond to concerns around provision of PPE, including strengthening and expanding supplies, proactively addressing queries about PPE provision and usage, and developing new guidance for the service in partnership.”