Local Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe has described it as “unacceptable” that so far into the COVID-19 crisis that healthcare facilities are still scrambling around trying to access basic protective clothing and called for the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to be provided to all frontline staff as a matter of urgency. Crowe’s comments come after it was revealed that there are now 29 clusters of COVID-19 infections in nursing homes across the state and that over a quarter of those infected with the virus are frontline workers
Deputy Seán Crowe said: “The HSE and medical professionals are doing sterling work to try to stop the spread and treat people as well as they can “However, it is unacceptable that so far into this crisis, so many frontline staff are still to this day desperately scrambling around trying to access basic protective clothing and equipment. “These are the most basic tools to do their jobs and it is paramount to their safety and all of our loved ones in their care, that frontline staff are provided with the necessary Personal Protection Equipment.
“PPE is also as important to those working in our nursing homes and to home help personnel as it is to those working in our healthcare services. “There are now 29 clusters of COVID-19 infections in nursing homes across the state and over a quarter of those infected with the virus are from the wider health professions “Those working on the frontline taking care of our loved ones must have the adequate equipment to protect themselves from infection and to help lessen the chance of the virus being inadvertently spread further.
“Supply of PPE is crucial if we are to remain on top of this pandemic “Much more needs to be done to ensure that we have a continuous domestic production line of various items of PPE and not become over reliant on international markets that are currently struggling severely to meet current demand.
“‘On Call for Ireland’ means being where one is needed, whether in a nursing home, in the community, in an administrative role or in a field hospital, step-down facility or clinical hub “’On Call for Ireland’ means responding to where one is needed but also means there is a greater responsibility on the state to provide all necessary supports, including equipment, to do that job in an environment that is safe and as risk free as possible.”
