HEALTH Secretary Jeane Freeman has hit back at Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw over new regulations for personal protective equipment for NHS workers amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The UK has new guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) which was agreed among the UK’s four chief medical officers.

They mean those working in care homes or looking after vulnerable people in their homes are required to wear masks.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman outlined the new rules at a press briefing at 2pm on Thursday, saying millions of PPE items have been delivered to far.

But Carlaw seemed to have missed the briefing, tweeting: "Encourage @JeaneF1MSP to confirm as soon as possible that new PPE regulations just announced by Matt Hancock will also apply in Scotland."

Freeman hit back at Carlaw, saying: "Did that at our press briefing around 2pm Jackson. They were produced by 4 nation CMO and CNO and excellent clinical and infection control expertise. Scroll down my timeline and you’ll see the infographics. Scotland’s CMO & CNO have written to health and social care staff."

 

The measures were later announced by the UK Government at a Downing Street press conference held by Health Secretary Matt Hancock at 5.30pm. 

Speaking at the Scottish Government's daily briefing on coronavirus, Freeman said: “In terms of shielding the extremely vulnerable in our society, the guidance asks that secondary, primary and community care home workers should wear a surgical mask when providing care to any individuals in this extremely vulnerable group.

“We appreciate that is is an incredibly busy time for all of our health and social care workers but we also know that those on the front-line need absolute clarity.”

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