We recognise that there has been some ongoing confusion in terms of guidance on the suitability of different gloves.
Health Protection Scotland have stated that vinyl gloves should not be used for personal care as they offer less protection for the wearer.
On this basis, the NSS PPE support centre had asked services to segregate any vinyl gloves from their PPE supplies and repurpose them for equipment/environmental.
Due to the risk of body fluid contamination, non sterile latex/nitrile or neoprene gloves should be used where there is contact with a person. More information can be found here: https://hpspubsrepo.blob.core.windows.net/hps-website/nss/3026/documents/1_nipcm-appendix-5.pdf
NSS have clarified that they are not saying providers cannot use their own vinyl gloves which they have procured. Instead, they are advising that best practice in infection control would be a higher standard of glove like “nitrile”.
Based on a service’s judgement, there may still be elements of care and support provision in which the use of vinyl gloves is appropriate.
From the guidance:
“The use of gloves should be based on an assessment of the risk of contact with blood, body fluids, secretions and/or excretions, non-intact skin, mucous membranes, hazardous drugs and chemicals, e.g. cleaning agents: Where such a risk exists, gloves should be worn to protect the healthcare worker and/or the patient”.
Source: Standard Infection Control Precautions Literature Review: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Gloves Version 3: Review date: 3.0 Infection Control Team Financial year 2019/20
In order to follow best practice, local PPE HUBs will be stocked with the higher standard of glove in line with Health Protection Scotland guidance so any gloves issued through this route will be the higher standard.
Scottish Care has contacted officials to seek absolute clarity as to the use of different glove types in social care settings. We have raised the issues of confusing guidance, concerns about existing stocks of vinyl gloves and their suitable use, and how recommended use of higher standard gloves have significant cost and access implications for services.
We will provide a further update as soon as this is available.
In the meantime, should you require nitrile based gloves for personal care purposes, these are available for collection from your local HSCP Hub from Friday 22nd May onwards.
If you require further information regarding your local HSCP Hub, or have difficulties accessing this Hub for supplies, please call our team at the PPE Support Centre who will be happy to help you. You can reach this helpline on 0300 303 3020 between the hours of 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday and 9am-1pm Sunday.
