'Hospital Bosses Restrict Use Of Protective Gear'

A nurses' association said on Tuesday that the Hospital Authority's call for staff to increase their use of protective equipment over coronavirus fears can only be a good thing, but in reality some bosses restrict the amount of gear given out.

Michael Felix Lau, from the Hong Kong Allied Health Professionals and Nurses Association, told RTHK that some managers insist on keeping a close eye on supplies.

“It’s a good thing that they tightened the guidelines... When there’s top-down guidelines from the headquarters, there’s no resistance from frontline colleagues, [but] the middle management doesn’t allow you to follow them,” he said.

Lau said some departments had failed to follow earlier guidelines on the use of protective equipment, and staff can be grilled on how many safety goggles or face shields they attempt to use.

On Monday, the Hospital Authority said staff are now being told to wear extra gear in certain circumstances, for example when they are feeding patients.

The move comes after a Covid-19 outbreak at United Christian Hospital where at least 19 patients and medical workers have been infected.

The authority has also floated the idea of testing staff for coronavirus every two weeks.

But Lau questioned how this could be carried out effectively.

“After testing, do we have to work or handle patients, or do we have to be quarantined to prevent getting infected? Or this is pointless and a waste of resources?” he asked.

The outbreak at United Christian Hospital has put dozens of members of staff out of action, as they have been placed in quarantine as a precaution. As a result, the hospital has now reduced some non-essential services.