Question reference: S5W-32733
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 22 October 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 2 December 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports by trade union representatives and hospital staff in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area that (a) surgical Type 2 face masks and (b) Type 11R masks have been issued, despite evidence having been published, which is understood to indicate that these do not offer protection to the wearer.
Answer
In Scotland, we use Fluid Resistant Surgical Masks (FRSM), also known as Type IIR masks, which are different from Type II masks in that they are fluid resistant and therefore provide protection for the staff member as well as 98% source control. Their use is endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive.
Staff are protected should they be caring for someone who is infectious but not wearing a mask and they are also protecting the person they are caring for if they themselves are infected either pre or asymptomatically.
Scottish Government face mask guidance is consistent with WHO advice and we are not aware of credible published evidence which indicates that FRSMs do not offer protection to the wearer.
We are the only nation in the UK who have taken the approach in using FRSMs as part of the extended facemask use guidance for health and social care staff.
The Scottish Government holds a regular forum with a range of stakeholders, including staff side representation, which provides an opportunity for any issues with regard to PPE to be raised. In addition we also respond directly to correspondence received from both individuals and organisations.