A Highland councillor has condemned as “madness” a move to stop schools making protective equipment to help NHS workers fight coronavirus.
Highland Council says it is not appropriate for schools to use local authority resources to manufacture PPE and it will only accept supplies to recommended industry standards.
Students and other individuals have been making protective equipment during the pandemic, sometimes using 3D printers.
But concern has been raised that organisations or individuals could be liable if uncertified PPE is supplied to health workers who subsequently contract the virus thinking they are adequately protected.
Councillor Kirsteen Currie, who represents North, West and Central Sutherland, said she was shocked at the news, particularly following the outbreak of the virus in a Skye care home.
“It is vital that we get the best possible protection to all front-line workers. The efforts from many Highland Council employees in creating shields were so warmly welcomed, its madness and totally unjustified to tell them to stop; branding it as a “ban” is even more condescending to our caring staff who just wanted to offer practical help.”
“There are many examples of Scottish Government agencies who are re-purposing their PPE, or even creating 3d printed items, such as in the case of Historic Environment Scotland.”
Councillor Currie said it was “most frustrating” to learn via the radio of the decision which she said had been taken by a ‘gold group’ of senior officers and councillor “with little or no cognisance of the impact that their decisions are having and with no input from elected members outwith the leadership circle.
“Democracy is another casualty in the Highlands from Covid-19.”
Last month Lochaber High School was among those who made protective visors using a 3D printer after being contacted by a hospital consultant.
A spokesperson for Highland Council said: “We understand that many people in the community, including in schools, want to help in the Covid-19 response and we welcome this support.
“However, to protect its staff, Highland Council will only accept and use PPE supplies to recommended industry standards which are CE marked in accordance with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations or produced in line with the Scottish Government guidance.
“It is therefore not appropriate for schools to use council resources to manufacture PPE, particularly when we have been assured by NHS Highland that there are sufficient levels of PPE to meet the demand. There are strict recommended industry standards which items must meet in accordance with PPE regulation.”
The spokesperson said the issue was considered extensively by the council’s strategic group in consultation with NHS Highland and nationally.
“It was recognised that staff were, in good faith, attempting to help, however there was no evidence that any items were certified as compliant with industry standards and this constituted a considerable risk to users, as well as a potential liability to the individuals making it.
“Staff were therefore advised to stop any production using council resources until further national guidance was available. This national guidance was published last week and communicated to staff.”
Announcing the new guidance, the Scottish Government set up a single point of contact to respond to offers of help.
It said the public support for the NHS and social care system during the Covid-19 outbreak has been phenomenal, including making PPE.
But it added: “Clearly, any supplies accepted into use across the health and social care system, and for wider key workers, must meet certain quality and safety standards. And with so many offers coming forward, it’s important to prioritise those offers first that will contribute to existing stocks the most”.
A report by the UK Government’s Office for Product Safety & Standards also stated that PPE not meeting essential health and safety requirements should not be supplied and won’t be used.
Also last month NHS Highland said it had been overwhelmed by support from companies and individuals, including offers of PPE.
But it said: “As an organisation we have to ensure that any PPE issued to staff in NHS Highland is in line with national guidance and standards to ensure that our staff are provided with the highest standards of protection.