Fifth of protective equipment flown to Ireland from China is said to be ‘not up to required standard’

Some 20% of personal protective equipment (PPE) that has arrived in Ireland from China does not reach the required standard for healthcare workers, the HSE chief has said.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Apr 2020, 00:56 BST
Updated 6th Apr 2020, 01:07 BST
Prof Martin Cormican, National Lead for Infection Control and Antimicrobial Resistance, in Ireland's HSE, displaying some of the PPE equipment sourced from China. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland/PA WireProf Martin Cormican, National Lead for Infection Control and Antimicrobial Resistance, in Ireland's HSE, displaying some of the PPE equipment sourced from China. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland/PA Wire
Prof Martin Cormican, National Lead for Infection Control and Antimicrobial Resistance, in Ireland's HSE, displaying some of the PPE equipment sourced from China. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland/PA Wire

Paul Reid said just 10% of the total 200 million euro order had arrived in Ireland, and that suppliers have been told not to send any more of the kit that did not reach the standard.

This comes after Stormont Finance Minister Conor Murphy came under intense scrutiny when it emerged that a major order he said was placed for desperately needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) fell through.

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Mr Murphy had raised hopes that a significant consignment of PPE was on its way to Northern Ireland last week, however, authorities in Dublin have stated that the arrangement had not progressed beyond discussion stage. The Irish government said that “discussions between procurement teams are ongoing and active”.

Concerns were aired last week in Dublin about some of the stock.

Speaking at the daily briefing in Dublin on Sunday, HSE chief executive Mr Reid addressed those concerns.

He described three categories in the delivery.

The first included coveralls, gowns, goggles and face-shields that have been identified as suitable for use, accounting for 65% of the first batch.

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A further 15% has been classified as “acceptable for healthcare worker use if the preferred product is not available”. This includes white overall gowns.

The remaining 20% of the order “does not meet the requirements for general healthcare use”.

“We will be using it for other specific purposes, perhaps in some of our isolation units and teams,” he said.

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Related topics:PPEConor MurphyNorthern IrelandChina