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COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The Government is extending the provision of free PPE to health and social care providers until the end of March 2024. In order to protect the health and wellbeing of health and social care workers, as well as their patients and clients, the continued provision will ensure frontline workers can access rigorously tested and high-quality PPE. 

 

How to Get PPE

The following applies to all CQC and OFSTED registered Residential and Domiciliary Care Providers. 

In March 2022, the Government launched a new National PPE Portal through which all Covid related PPE required by Nottingham City Council and its private sector customers is currently ordered. 

The new National Portal has been set up in such a way that all requestors, both Local Authority and the Private Sector, needing PPE for direct care, can place their own orders, with the added benefit that orders placed in this way will be delivered to your preferred address. 

As a result, the Nottingham City Council distribution point at Harvey Hadden Sports Village will close w/c 12th June 2022. No PPE orders can be accepted through Nottingham City Council after this date. 

To order your PPE through the new National Portal you will need to register. You can do this by accessing the sign-up form from the link below.

The National Portal will advise you of your PPE ordering limits (based on your type of organisation or personal requirements). If the set limit is not sufficient for your needs you will be able to request an increase by contacting the National Portal Customer Services Team on: 0800 876 6802. The team is available 7:00am to 7:00pm, 7 days a week. You should use the same contact phone number for any difficulties you encounter whilst trying to access the National Portal. 

In addition all requestors are being encouraged to order one month’s supply of PPE at a time as this is more efficient and environmentally sustainable. 

Should you have any queries or concerns, please contact ppe@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Contacts:

  • If you have any queries or an urgent request, please contact us on ppe@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
  • For any other PPE or COVID-19 related queries, please email CV19@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
  • If you need additional, specialised health protection advice call PHE East Midlands on 0344 2254 524

    PPE Update - Clarification on wearing of PPE

    We have become aware of some confusion about the wearing of face masks in all adult social care settings, including domiciliary care, extra care housing and care homes.

    The updated guidance balances the risk of COVID-19 in care settings – maintaining protections for care recipients who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 and taking into account the environment (care homes tend to be less well ventilated and are closed settings where infection can amplify quickly into an outbreak); whilst as far as possible removing restrictions to the lives of staff and care recipients. 

    Face masks continue to be recommended for all staff working in an adult social care setting, regardless of job role, for source control.

    Masks are not routinely recommended for care workers when outdoors. As per the guidance, care staff should consider wearing face masks if supporting people in indoor public spaces outside a care setting, following a risk assessment.

    Links to the guidance here for ease:

    Infection prevention and control in adult social care settings (includes the Infection Prevention and Control: Resource for adult social care and a quick guide for care workers)

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infection-prevention-and-control-in-adult-social-care-settings

    Infection prevention and control in adult social care: COVID-19 supplement (includes the COVID-19 supplement to the infection prevention and control resource and a summary of changes)

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infection-prevention-and-control-in-adult-social-care-covid-19-supplement

    How to Use PPE

    Instructional Videos

    NHS Video: Putting on and removing PPE - Public Health England instructional

    This video demonstrates how to put on (known as donning) and remove (known as doffing) your PPE in a health and social care setting.

    • This video demonstrates both the techniques you should use to put on/remove your PPE and the order in which you should do each item
    • Following this order and using the techniques is essential in preventing contamination and infection spread
    • Where the video refers to “patients”, this means any citizens you are in contact with when providing services

    Video: Cleaning Goggles

    This video has been made by Infection Control colleagues in Nottingham to demonstrate the steps in cleaning reusable goggles.


    NHS Video: How to wash your hands

    Please make sure you follow these general principles to prevent the spread of infectious viruses, including flu and norovirus, as well as Coronavirus.

    • wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport. The NHS have produced guidelines on how to wash your hands effectively to prevent the spread of infection and you can find this on their website.
    • avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
    • avoid close contact with people who are unwell
    • cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin.
    • if you are worried about your symptoms, please call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment.

     

      How to Dispose of PPE

      How do I dispose of PPE used in community settings such as care homes with arrangements for clinical waste collection?

      It is really important that PPE is put on and removed carefully. Guidance is available to provide further information on how to put on and remove PPE correctly. Following the removal of PPE it should be placed inside clinical waste bins.

      How do I dispose of PPE used in citizen’s homes?

      It is really important that PPE is removed carefully – see taking off (doffing) guidance. 

      When citizens do not have symptoms of COVID-19 waste PPE should be placed in a refuse bag and can be immediately disposed of as normal domestic waste.

      For citizens who do have symptoms of COVID-19 there are additional measure for waste PPE. Prior to the visit, colleagues should risk assess whether the household is able to adhere to the safe disposal of waste PPE. If they cannot, colleagues should take their waste away with them in a disposable rubbish bag, placed into a second bag and tied securely to dispose of at their base in accordance with government guidance.

      If the citizen is able to adhere to the safe disposal of waste, then colleagues should not remove waste PPE from the citizen’s home. Colleagues should take off their PPE when at least 2m away from the citizen or any other person. It should then be put into a disposable rubbish bag, placed into a second bag, tied securely, labelled with the date and time. Waste should be stored safely and securely kept away from children and other waste for 72 hours. After this time the rubbish bags may be placed into a citizen’s household waste bin.

      Guidance on PPE

      Local guidance

      Indication and use of Personal Protective Equipment - Summary PPE Guidance for Nottingham City Colleagues during the COVID-19 Pandemic

      Government guidance

        Guidance on PPE - Latest Updates

        25th May 2022: Harvey Hadden PPE Distribution Centre will close on 12th June 22

        In March 2022, the Government launched a new National PPE Portal through which all Covid related PPE required by Nottingham City Council and its private sector customers is currently ordered. 

        The new National Portal has been set up in such a way that all requestors, both Local Authority and the Private Sector, needing PPE for direct care, can place their own orders, with the added benefit that orders placed in this way will be delivered to your preferred address. 

        As a result, the Nottingham City Council distribution point at Harvey Hadden Sports Village will close w/c 12th June 2022. No PPE orders can be accepted through Nottingham City Council after this date. 

        For further information please see the 'How to get PPE' section.


        28th March 2022: PPE Guidance Updated

        PPE portal: how to order COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE)

        Page summary:
        Eligible health and social care providers can order PPE through the portal to meet the increased need that has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

        Change made:
        Removed references to order limits as these are now available to see on the portal. Added information on new sectors that can sign up and how they can contact their local authority or local resilience forum.

        Personal protective equipment (PPE): local contacts for accessing free PPE

        Page summary:
        A list of contacts that providers and care recipients can approach to access free PPE, including the PPE Portal, local authorities and local resilience forums.

        Change made:
        Updated with the latest local contact details, and to reflect the fact that sectors currently receiving PPE through their local authority or local resilience forum are now able to order PPE through the PPE Portal and that National Supply Disruption Response has been disbanded.


        21st Jan 2022: PPE Guidance Updated

        PPE portal: how to order COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE)

        Page summary:
        Eligible health and social care providers can order PPE through the portal to meet the increased need that has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

        Change made:
        Updated to say that it is a legal requirement on employers that FFP3 masks must be fit tested on all health and care staff who may be required to wear one. Updated the order limits for GPs to include FFP3 masks.


        13th Jan 2022: Free PPE for frontline staff extended for another year

        Offer of free personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline health and care staff extended until 31 March 2023.

        The government has announced its decision to extend the central, free provision of all items of COVID-19 PPE to the adult social care sector, including unpaid carers, by up to one year to March 2023 or until the ‘How to Work Safely’ guidance on PPE usage for COVID-19 is either withdrawn or substantially amended (whichever is sooner). 

        The press release announcing the decision to extend is available here: Free PPE for frontline extended for another year - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

        The government has also published its response to the public consultation. The formal response is available on GOV.UK Extending free PPE to the health and care sector - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

        Recall and Safety Notices

        Reminder about FFP3 mask requirement for aerosol generating procedures (13th Sept 21)

        An important reminder about the different type of face masks required when caring for a person who requires AGP’s (aerosol generating procedures).

        An AGP is a medical procedure that can cause the release of very small particles of Covid -19 from the throat of an infected person into the immediate area and therefore increase the risk of transmission to those in the immediate area.  AGP’s are occasionally carried out in care homes and the community and include suctioning needed by a person with a tracheostomy or people who are receiving CPAPBiPAP or ventilation support. 

        Some examples of AGP’s carried out sometimes in the community are as below: 

        • Tracheostomy insertion or removal
        • Bi-level positive Airway Pressure Ventilation (BiPAP)
        • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Ventilation (CPAP)
        • Deep suctioning  (not suctioning in the mouth to clear saliva)
        • Please note – nebulizers are NOT considered a significant risk therefore DO NOT require an FFP3 mask 

        A full list of AGP’s can be found on the Gov website:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control/covid-19-infection-prevention-and-control-guidance-aerosol-generating-procedures  please check the guidance if you are unsure.

        You will need a different type of mask – called an FFP3 (filtering face piece) for the above procedures which filters out aerosols that the Type 11R surgical mask will not.  An FFP3 mask also requires a face fit test to ensure a correct fit. It is very important that all staff wearing FFP3 masks have been face fit tested by an accredited provider to ensure a secure fit.

        The FFP3 masks can be ordered via the PPE portal.  We are able to provide information for accredited providers who provide FFP3 face fit testing.  

        Links below for providers of fit testing:

        https://www.fit2fit.org/find-a-tester


        Communication to Care Providers about PPE (9th Dec 2020)

        Further to our communication around the Bloc Visors, and in light of the withdrawal of the acute shortages' guidance, we have decided that all eyewear issued by Nottingham City Council as PPE, should be treated as disposable only within a health and social care setting.

        This means that eye protection can be used continuously, until you need to take a break from duties or move between settings, and should be disposed of after removal.

        If you require more eyewear, please place your order through the national PPE Portal: -

        http://nhs-ppe.co.uk/

        or Nottingham City Council’s stocks at: -

        https://myaccount.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/service/order_your_ppe

        Any queries, please contact ppe@nottinghamcity.gov.uk


        Update on Vinyl Gloves (10th November 2020)

        The updated national guidance states different gloves can be used for different purposes in care homes and home care. However, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council are providing Nitrile gloves, rather than Vinyl gloves, as we believe these are the most appropriate for use in care homes and home care due to their durability. You can find more information at the links below:

        COVID-19: how to work safely in care homes

        COVID-19: how to work safely in domiciliary care in England

         


        Recall of KN95 masks (12 June 2020)

        Official notification received from the HSE today states there is an issue with the quality of masks designated as KN95 including a lack of compliance with European standards.

        For more information see: https://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/use-of-face-masks-designated-kn95.ht

        If you are still using KN95 masks, please return these to Harvey Hadden and order replacement masks

         


        Advisory on LRF Type II Masks (13 May 2020)

        The LRF have issued Type II masks. Whilst our records suggest that none of these masks have been distributed to colleagues in Nottingham we request you check that all the masks you’ve received are Type IIR.

        Type II masks are not fluid resistant so can be used as a surgical mask, for example when preparing food for someone in the extremely vulnerable shielding group, but cannot be used in a direct and/or personal care situation

        These masks are not easily distinguished. Please follow the guidance on this page for PPE requirements and usage.

         


        Recall of Tiger Eye Protective Goggles and Frames (9 May 2020)

        Official notification was received from the Department of Health and Social Care stating that Tiger Medical Products protective goggles and frames supplied through the National Supply Chain and distributed by the LRF do not meet the current requirements for splash protection and therefore should not be used whilst we have sustained transmission of COVID-19. 

        All colleagues who have goggles as part of their PPE should arrange to return them as described in the letter from the LRF (see below) and collect replacement eye protection. Whilst we recognise that colleagues may be concerned, the letter from central government states the risk from using Tiger Eye protective goggles and frames in direct patient contact, when not performing aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), is limited.


        Recall of Obisk Blue Tree Face Type IIR mask - MKTIIR0214 (tie back) and MKTIIR0199 (ear looped). Batch/ LOT numbers:

        • 101000345
        • 101000346
        • 101000348
        • 101000349
        • 101000350

        Download Obisk Blue Tree Face Type Recall Information PDF

        Unpaid carers who do not live with the person they are caring for

        If you are an unpaid carer and do not live with the person you care for, it is recommended that you wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when delivering this care. This includes if you are caring for a family member. You can access free COVID-19 related PPE from your local authority. 

        If you used PPE before COVID-19, you should continue to get this from your usual supplier.

        If you live in Nottingham City:

        You can register and order a supply of all your COVID-19 related PPE through Nottingham City Council’s online system

        https://myaccount.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/service/order_your_ppe

        The amount and type of PPE you should wear will depend on the type of care you provide. For more information on what PPE is needed when, please see:

        https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-providing-unpaid-care/guidance-for-those-who-provide-unpaid-care-to-friends-or-family

         

        If you cannot use the internet, then please telephone Nottingham Health and Care Point on  0300 131 0300 and tell them that you need to order some PPE for your care role.

        Any questions can be emailed to ppe@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

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