Guidance on when and what type of covid-19 protective gear should be used is being updated in a bid to “build confidence” among health and social care staff.

The advice will recommend a level of protection for all staff, even when dealing with patients who are not displaying symptoms, the Health Secretary said today.

NHS and social care staff have been promised “absolute clarity” and online videos will be used to communicate the changes.

Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement today after widespread concerns about the quality and availability of PPE across the health and social care workforce.

A rural GP has criticised the “toy store” quality of the kit sent to him, while there are concerns among care homes that restrictive policies mean they can only get supplies once it is too late to prevent the spread of coronavirus

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the new advice set out the “safest level” of PPE for different care scenarios.

An additional table has been added to the guidance, she said, that “describes when to use PPE when caring for any patient or resident, regardless of whether the individual is suspected or confirmed”.

Ms Freeman said this was important due to sustained community transmission of the virus.

There is also “detailed advice” about risk assessment in different settings, including care homes and carer home visits.

Among the changes was a move to allow doctors working in intensive care and emergency departments to keep the same mask and eye protection through a session instead of changing between each patient.

Health secretary Jeane Freeman said this had been approved by the UK health and safety regulator.

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