Single use, disposable PPE is advised wherever possible when treating patients with (suspected) COVID-19.
See the following videos published by Public Health England for a guide to donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) personal protective equipment. All PPE should be immediately disposed of as clinical waste following use. (COVID-19: interim guidance for primary care, 2020).
The main types of PPE needed for care of patients with (suspected) COVID-19 include:
Gloves –plastic gloves should always be used when treating patients. Make sure to avoid face-touching as this reduces effectiveness.
Aprons –plastic aprons should be worn to protect from splashes. Public Health England recommends using a “long, rear fastening fluid resistant and long sleeved disposable gown” (link).
Fluid resistant surgical masks (FRSMs) – FRSMs must be worn when working within 1 metre of a patient with COVID-19 symptoms, and is advised at all times in centres with a cohort of COVID-19 patients (COVID-19: Guidance for infection prevention and control in healthcare settings, Gov UK 2020).
Filtering face piece (class 3) (FFP3) respirators – FFP3 respirators should be worn whenever there is a risk of airborne transmission of COVID-19. They should be worn with eye protection to protect against aerosols.
Eye protection – eye protection must be worn when aerosol generating procedures are conducted. This may be a surgical mask with visor, a full-face shield, or safety spectacles.
All of the above PPE should be single use. It is unsafe to reuse PPE due to contamination risk. Reusables are too difficult to disinfect– it is more secure and practical to use single-use alternatives.
In the event of supply issues, the NHS National Supply Disruption is contactable on 0800 915 9964 or via emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Further reading
“COVID-19: interim guidance for primary care”, Gov UK, March 19, 2020. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wn-cov-guidance-for-primary-care/wn-cov-interim-guidance-for-primary-care.
“COVID-19: Guidance for infection prevention and control in healthcare settings, Version 1.0”, Issued jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Public Health Wales (PHW), Public Health Agency (PHA) Northern Ireland, Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and Public Health England as official guidance. Pages 16-20. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874316/Infection_prevention_and_control_guidance_for_pandemic_coronavirus.pdf
