Blood Transfusion Service pledges to review PPE safety gear amid staff coronavirus fears

The demand comes a day after the News Letter ran an article about the Province’s blood donation system, in which a senior manager said that they have to take it at “face value” that none of the staff or donors have Covid-19.

READ FULL STORY HERE: Coronavirus: Bloodbank staff and donors ‘do not need masks because they do not have the virus’

She had said would-be donors are quizzed about symptoms and who they might have had contact with, and their temperature is taken, before they can proceed to give blood.

She also said World Health Organisation rules do not say blood bank staff must wear face masks.

Now the Unison union has said “staff working within the sessions do not feel that they are being protected” with only gloves and aprons.

The union statement added that “other UK regions have stepped up the level of PPE provided for blood donation staff, and therefore we demand that this is also implemented in Northern Ireland”.

Late this afternoon, Mr Matt Gillespie, supply chain manager with the service, said they will be working together with Unison in the days ahead to review safety gear for staff, adding that their wellbeing is paramount.

This does not necessarily mean masks will be delivered to staff, but it does mean the service will pledge to listen to the concerns and consider its options.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor