Advice offered on locally produced PPE

Orkney Health and Care and NHS Orkney are thanking people and groups who have offered support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several offers to make and supply Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have been received by the two organisations.

However, like all organisations providing health and social care services, OHAC and NHS Orkney have a duty of care to ensure PPE used by frontline colleagues meets internationally approved safety standards.

NHS Orkney Chief Executive Designate Iain Stewart said: “We have been overwhelmed by the amount of support we are receiving from our local community. This kindness means a great deal to all of us.

“We appreciate every offer of support. However, to safeguard both the individuals we support and our colleagues, it is important that we ensure that all donations of PPE meet approved quality assurance standards.”

Sally Shaw, Chief Officer of Orkney Health and Care (OHAC) said “We greatly appreciate the generous response and the offers of help we’ve received.

“Our PPE needs to be as safe as possible to use, to protect our staff and the people they care for from infection. We will now be checking the PPE donated to us to make sure it meets the set standards and can be used by frontline staff.”

OHAC and NHS Orkney continue to receive regular supplies of fully approved PPE for key workers and are actively working to ensure this is maintained during the pandemic.

Orkney Islands Council can provide advice to local people and groups interested in making and supplying PPE that complies with the required safety standards. Contact Trading Standards on 01856 873535 extension 3041 or by email.

To ensure all donations are distributed where they are needed, Scottish Enterprise has set up an email address where all donations can be registered.

A process is in place to fast track compliant PPE so it can be approved for use key workers. Local manufacturers wishing to do this can find out more here.