Coronavirus: 20% of protective equipment from China unsuitable
Emergency ward – doctors and nurses working with virus patients.
By Democrat reporter
Around 20 per cent of a consignment of personal protection equipment (PPE) delivered from China last weekend does not meet Health Service Executive (HSE) requirements and cannot be distributed to staff dealing with patients infected with Covid-19.
Scotland must now be looking at this worrying report after the death of doctors, nurses and at least one homecare worker in West Dunbartonshire.
During a briefing on Sunday morning HSE chief executive Paul Reid told The Irish Times that 20 per cent of the consignment sent from China did not meet the requirements of the Irish health service but would be used for other purposes at the present – for example in isolation units.
Another 15 per cent was “acceptable for use if a preferred product is not available”, he said. This category included white gowns and had a value of about €4 million.
Some 65 per cent of the first batch delivered was identified as suitable for use and has been distributed.
HSE infectious diseases clinical lead Prof Martin Cormican said just because equipment did not suit Irish requirements did not mean there was something wrong with it. Staff would need training to use much of the equipment, he emphasised.
Much of the 20 per cent category of items not meeting HSE requirements were masks that do not meet the requirement for specific respiratory masks, he said.
Mr Reid said the HSE did not want any further deliveries of this kit as part of the ongoing order. He said he expected to see samples with revised specifications sent next week, and the supplier was co-operating in this regard.