The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has received a caution regarding the necessity for its stockpile of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be suitable for women to address safety concerns.
Commonly, women’s PPE is just downsized versions of men’s gear, which leads to ill-fitting equipment that is inadequate and poses risks.
The GMB union has taken steps to ensure the protection of up to 250,000 women by having companies commit to an inclusive PPE Charter. However, there are growing calls for an expansion of these efforts to safeguard frontline workers effectively.
According to a survey conducted by GMB, as many as 70% of women experience discomfort due to ill-fitting protective gear, causing feelings of insecurity and fear at work. Labour MP Kirsteen Sullivan and GMB’s Mel Bartlett have jointly urged the UKHSA to take action in response to these concerns.
They emphasized the need for equipment that fits properly to prevent risks to the health and safety of workers and the public they serve. Ill-fitting PPE can compromise infection prevention, especially for marginalized groups, and may lead to wastage if stockpiled equipment is unsuitable.
UKHSA has been called upon to reassess its PPE standards, implement fit-to-form criteria, and examine assumptions about PPE fit to minimize avoidable risks. Recent revelations of inadequate PPE checks by the government have incurred substantial costs to taxpayers.
As the UK gears up to establish a new national contact tracing system and enhance PPE stockpiles as part of a £1 billion health protection strategy, there is a focus on improving readiness for future health crises based on lessons learned from the pandemic.
In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, Ms. Sullivan stressed the importance of ensuring that any new PPE stockpile is cost-effective and suitable for deployment by public services. Ms. Bartlett echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the critical role of properly fitting PPE in protecting healthcare workers from infections.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care reiterated the government’s commitment to the safety of NHS and social care staff, highlighting the legal requirement for employers to provide appropriate PPE. The government’s investment in health protection measures aims to enhance vaccine accessibility and bolster pandemic surveillance systems for future preparedness.
