Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidance

Information, guidance and resources on the correct use of PPE

Latest PPE Guidance

Updated guidance: Personal protective equipment (PPE): local contacts for accessing free PPE

Updated guidance has been published for access to free PPE (25 March 2022). Change made:

• Updated with latest local contact details, and to reflect the fact that sectors currently receiving PPE through their local authority or local resilience forum are now able to order PPE through the PPE Portal and that National Supply Disruption Response has been disbanded
• Removed references to order limits as these are now available to see on the portal. Added information on new sectors that can sign up and how they can contact their local authority or local resilience forum

Read the full guidance

Above guidance correct as at 1 April 2022

Please note that PPE guidance for care homes and domiciliary care was updated in April 2021

• COVID-19: how to work safely in care homes (last updated 18-05-21)
• COVID-19: how to work safely in domiciliary care in England (last updated 18-05-21)
• Public Health England have created an illustrative guide for staff working in Community and Social Care Setting  – what PPE to wear and when.
• Online videos for Putting on (Donning) and Taking off (Doffing) PPE can be found here –   (Although this video is titled as being for workers in care homes, the content is just as relevant for home care) (last updated 18-05-21)

All managers are responsible for ensuring that all staff are trained in the correct and safe use of appropriate PPE, including:

• How to safely put it on (don) and take it off (doff) to prevent self-contamination
• When to wash/sanitise their hands during the donning and doffing process
• When to change it
• How to dispose of it correctly
• What PPE can be reused, and how to decontaminate this

How to clean reusable face visors/goggles between uses:

• Always check that the goggles/face visors are not marked as ‘single use’. These must be disposed of after each use
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
• Between uses clean with a neutral detergent wipe, allow to dry, disinfect with a 70% alcohol wipe and leave to dry OR use a combined detergent/disinfectant wipe e.g. Clinell and leave to dry
• Store in a clean bag or lidded plastic container to avoid possible recontamination
• Ideally staff should be allocated their own eye protection for personal use and be responsible for cleaning and storing appropriately 

Updated PPE guidance: October 2021

Updated guidance has been issued about the PPE portal – how to order free COVID-19 PPE. Page summary:

• Eligible health and social care providers can order PPE through the portal to meet the increased need that has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Increased order limits of visors by 50% across all categories

Read the full guidance, including order limits.

PPE: “What to Wear” video resource

Please note:

• Fluid resistant surgical masks must be removed and disposed of after providing direct personal care for a resident with respiratory symptoms or who has had a positive COVID-19 test in the last 14 days. 
• Apply a new Type IIR surgical mask before providing care for the next resident or carrying out another duty.
• If you have provided direct personal care to a resident who has tested negative for COVID-19 and does not have respiratory symptoms, and assuming your mask is not damp, soiled or worn for more than 4 hours, you can wear it for the next resident contact.

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Visual guides for the ASC ‘How to Work Safely’ PPE guidance

Working in conjunction with key stakeholders, Public Health England recently updated the How to Work Safely in Care Homes in England and How to Work Safely in Domiciliary care in England PPE guidance. The accompanying visual guides have been updated to further support care workers to follow the updated PPE guidance and good infection prevention control measures, in conjunction with local policies. The guides outline what PPE to wear, when, and how.
 
Updated visuals:

• Putting on PPE home carer / Putting on PPE Care Homes – New infographic merges the two previously published guides; content and advice is mirrored for the two sectors.
• Taking off PPE home carer/ Taking off PPE Care Homes  – New infographic merges the two previously published guides; content and advice is mirrored for the two sectors.
• PPE guide for community and social care settings including care homes: What PPE to wear and when – an illustrative guide – New illustrative guide merged to include advice for care homes, community care and other social care settings.

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Care Homes

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Guidance on specific items

Infection Prevention and Control/ PPE Training

Training is available for anyone delivering care in the London Borough of Sutton.  People who have already attended have given very positive feedback and agree that it was a valuable learning experience.

For more information and how to book on to a session please visit our Infection Prevention Training Page.

Candidates will be required to demonstrate the donning and doffing procedures to ensure competency and will have the opportunity to ask infection prevention and control questions specific to their area of practice.

Page last updated on April 1st, 2022 at 5:24pm