Scottish Government urged to use army to solve PPE shortage

The Scottish Government should consider calling in the army to help ensure protective equipment gets to frontline workers amid fears that distribution networks may not be fully operational this Easter, the Tories have said.

Nicola Sturgeon insisted yesterday ministers are working to iron out “glitches” with distribution of the PPE (personal, protective equipment) amid recent concerns from care workers and medics.

The First Minister told opposition leaders yesterday that there are sufficient supplies of PPE,such as masks, gowns and gloves, in Scotland but many in the care sector say it hasn’t been reaching them.

It comes amid concerns outbreaks which have led to multiple deaths in care homes around the country, while a homes care worker has also been listed among the dead.

The First Minister is being urged to use the army.

The Scottish Government yesterday moved to defuse a row over “supplementary” advice which had been provided by the chief nursing officer of the use of protective equipment after a backlash from unions over claims that masks were not necessary unless patients exhibited Covid-19 symptoms.

Tory leader Jackson Carlaw insisted yesterday during a “virtual” session of First Minister’s Questions that getting PPE to the frontline must be a priority this weekend.

The UK armed forces have already contributed to efforts to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, with a logistics team based at St Andrew’s House.

“We have some of the best armed forces in the world who are standing ready to help,” Mr carlaw said afterwards

“If the Scottish Government is having difficulty in getting vital PPE to those who need it most, they must call on the army to help.

“It would be a perfectly acceptable solution in this unprecedented crisis, and would help protect our very brave health workers in hospitals, care homes and community settings.

Mr Carlaw said the concerns about getting equipment to the frontline has been an ongoing issue.

“We know this because we’re all getting emails and calls from frontline staff and care homes who’ve been told they’ve got the equipment - but they’re phoning us to tell us that’s not the case.”

The First Minister has said that supplies are adequate, but some problems remain with distribution.

Ms Sturgeon said that the issue of protective equipment is of “fundamental, paramount importance.”

She added: “We have been working hard to resolve the concerns that people have.”

The SNP leader insisted that Scotland has adequate supplies of PPE despite the global pressures and demand for the equipment.

“We’ve taken significant steps to improve distribution and we continue to do that, addressing glitches or concerns where they arise.”

The Government is working to ensure that distribution centres remain open at Easter, as GPs and community pharmacies will be.

Ms Sturgeon added that the chief medical officers is in talks with medics who raised concerns over the quality of protective equipment in a joint letter published yesterday.

“We treat these issues incredibly seriously and on an ongoing basis we will continue to address any concerns that arise.”

A formal statement issued by the Scottish government yesterday made it clear that social and home care workers can wear a fluid resistant face mask if they judge it necessary in the course of their work.

“They are professionals and we trust their professional judgment,” it stated.

It backtracked on a letter from chief nursing officer to Fiona McQueen appeared to suggest this not necessary unless a resident was displaying symptoms of Covid-19.