Top nurses claim new NHS Covid-19 infection advice 'falls short'

1 June 2021, 21:00

Top nurses claim Covid-19 guidance for NHS staff "falls short"
Top nurses claim Covid-19 guidance for NHS staff "falls short". Picture: PA Images
Ewan Quayle

By Ewan Quayle

New infection control guidance to help keep NHS workers safe from Covid-19 "falls short", leading nurses have said.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said that the updated advice "focuses too much on aerosol generating procedures as the main risk".

Concerns were raised early on in the coronavirus pandemic that medics were not able to get access to appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) amid a worldwide shortage.

The guidance, issued jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) as well as public health agencies across the UK's four nations and NHS England, has been updated to "strengthen existing messaging", it states.

But "no changes to the recommendations, including PPE, have been made in response to the new variant strains at this stage", the guidance adds, though it remains under constant review.

The Royal College of Nurses has previous protested the Government's handling of the pandemic
The Royal College of Nurses has previous protested the Government's handling of the pandemic. Picture: PA Images

RCN acting general secretary and chief executive Pat Cullen said: "This new guidance focuses too much on aerosol generating procedures as the main risk and falls short of the precautionary approach we have been advocating.

"Those working in community settings, care homes and many other areas are being let down and remain unsure how best to protect themselves.

"As we see new variants of concern emerge, we continue to demand FFP3 masks are made more widely available and increased levels of ventilation as a standardised approach. This is in line with the advice from the WHO and the CDC on the risk of aerosol transmission.

"Along with many other organisations, we have consistently urged that the Health Secretary and Prime Minister provide greater protection for all nursing staff. However, this guidance fails to properly consider the voices of those who were forced to work without protection at the start of the pandemic and act on those lessons."

But doctors and the British Medical Association BMA have welcomed the new guidance.

New advice on Covid-19 infection control tells nurses
New advice on Covid-19 infection control tells nurses. Picture: PA Images

Commenting, BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: "Today's updated guidance is a step in the right direction, and asserts the legal obligations of carrying out proper risk assessments and implementing specific measures to manage risks.

"Crucially, it recommends that respiratory PPE (such as FFP3 masks) must be considered where the threat from passing on Covid remains high, and should not be limited to those areas where 'aerosol-generating procedures' (AGP) are taking place.

"This means extending their use to those staff whose exposure to airborne particles from a patient is no less, and whose risk of contracting Covid is therefore no less than for those engaged in those procedures classified as AGPs.

"Despite the majority of staff now having been vaccinated with two doses, it is important that those working on the front line should be given stronger guarantees with appropriate PPE (rather than just surgical masks), given that no vaccine provides complete protection."

Aerosols are tiny respiratory particles that are small and light enough to remain suspended in the air for long periods of time

And aerosol generating procedures are medical treatments which can result in the release of these airborne particles - including intubation, tracheotomy and many dental procedures.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

An RAF flight has left Israel carrying 63 UK nationals and their dependents, as the UK government begins evacuating British citizens from the country amid ongoing attacks between Iran and Israel.

First RAF flight evacuates 63 Briton from Israel as Lammy confirms one UK national injured in Iran missile attacks

Moment Israel blows up the front gate of Iran's notorious Evin prison

Israel blow's gates of Iran's notorious Evin Prison where many political prisoners are held

The DLR could be heading further south east of the Thames - not just the River Lea

Every railway line extension in London: Sadiq Khan's Thamesmead DLR ambition gets to next stage

Iranian protesters chant slogans and one holds a poster with a vampire-like illustration of US President Donald Trump in Revolution Square to protest US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran

LIVE: Trump 'simply raising question' on Iran regime change - as Israeli missiles strike gates of Tehran's Evin Prison

British Airways had stopped some flights to the Middle East over the weekend

UK flights restored to Dubai and Qatar

NATO says alliance's new defence investment plan will be 5% of GDP to ensure security and defence.

NATO to hike defence spending to 5% of GDP in major security push as chief warns Iran on developing nuclear weapon

Former Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan has announced his diagnosis with stage four prostate cancer.

Veteran news presenter Dermot Murnaghan diagnosed with ‘advanced’ stage 4 prostate cancer

Dozens of bodies have been recovered from the Balearic Islands, including Majorca, this year.

Holiday horror as five bodies with shackled hands and feet wash up on beach at tourist hotspot

Police speak to a person taking part in a demonstration at Trafalgar Square in London in support of Palestine Action.

Palestine Action clashes with police after government 'bans' them under anti-terror laws

Exclusive
Ellis' killer is still at large one year after his murder.

'So broken and lost' : Mum desperate for answers over son's gun murder as killer remains at large

Ugly scenes break out as Palestine Action protesters and police clash in Trafalgar Square

Palestine Action clashes with police after government 'bans' them under anti-terror laws

Exclusive
Chancellor And Business Secretary Launch The Government's Industrial Strategy

Rachel Reeves hints she could water down non-dom policy and tells LBC 'we'll always look at the evidence'

Demonstrators gesture toward a police line during a protest by Palestine Action group in London, Monday, June 23, 2025.

Met Police ban Palestine Action protests outside Houses of Parliament

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, greets Ambassador of Iran to Russia Kazem Jalali, right, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, center, prior to their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia today.

Putin backs Iran as Kremlin blasts US for 'groundless, unprovoked aggression' against nuclear facilities

Carlos Alcaraz with the Queen's trophy he won after beating Jiri Lehecka on Sunday

When is Wimbledon 2025: Carlos Alcaraz favourite after Queen's victory

The union’s survey of more than 6,000 members across rail, bus, metro, maritime and underground sectors found two-thirds have experienced workplace violence in the past year, and over 85% of them were assaulted multiple times.

Union urges transport bosses to act after two-thirds of workers suffer violence and abuse from passengers