A WORRIED nurse is pleading with health chiefs to introduce changes to the way NHS staff get their uniforms cleaned once their shift has finished.

Health workers are currently expected to take their uniform home with them and wash all items themselves.

However, there are concerns this is presenting an increased risk to their loved ones during the coronavirus crisis.

One Renfrewshire nurse, who asked not to be named, told The Gazette: “Our uniforms should be properly laundered, rather than us being asked to take them home.

“The problem nursing staff have is that, on a normal shift, we can often get blood, vomit or other fluids on our uniforms, yet we’re expected to take them back home to where our families are and wash them ourselves.

“This is bad enough under normal circumstances but I think that, with all this going on, it’s really dangerous.

“My husband has a health condition and has said he doesn’t want me bringing my uniform home but staff have been told we could be disciplined if we don’t do it.

“There are also real concerns about the lack of Personal Protection Equipment available to hospital staff to help stave off the risk of infection from coronavirus.”

Another issue raised by the nurse is the need for more NHS staff to be tested for Covid-19.

She said: “In many cases, nurses are the people who are on the frontline but most of us don’t know if we are carrying coronavirus or not.

“We should all be getting tested as soon as possible.”

Bosses at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said they follow Health Protection Scotland guidance on uniforms.

A spokesperson added: “We provide changing rooms/areas where staff can change into their uniforms when they arrive at work and before they leave.

“After a shift, staff should take uniforms home in a disposable plastic bag. This bag should be disposed of into the household waste.

“Staff are also told that uniforms should be laundered separately from other household linen, in a load not more than half the machine capacity and at the maximum temperature the fabric can tolerate, then ironed or tumbled-dried.

“We have advised staff that arrangements to expand our testing facilities are underway. This additional capacity will support testing for priority staff groups who are in self-isolation because a family member is symptomatic.

“If tests of that family member are negative, staff will be able to return to work quicker.”

****

Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We're not exaggerating when we say the future of local newspapers and the vital service we have provided for many years is under threat.

Please consider supporting The Gazette in whatever way you can - by paying just 90p for a copy of the newspaper when you're shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others or by subscribing to our e-edition here