Nurses without correct PPE can refuse to treat coronavirus patients, union says

‘This will go against every instinct but their safety must not be compromised,’ says RCN

Nurses without the necessary protective gear can refuse to treat coronavirus patients, their union has said.

In new guidance, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said members are entitled to decline to work as a “last resort” if they have not been given adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).

The union acknowledged it would go against what nurses have been trained to do and said all other avenues, such as delaying treatment or carrying it out in another format, should first be exhausted.

“For nursing staff, this will go against every instinct but their safety must not be compromised,” a spokesperson said.

Doctors and nurses have repeatedly raised concerns about the shortage of gowns, gloves and face masks for staff treating highly infectious Covid-19 patients.

One doctor said the failure to provide adequate supplies was a “shocking indictment” of the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, as health secretary Matt Hancock faced a growing backlash over his claim NHS workers were using too much PPE.

The RCN’s advice came as the UK death toll topped 10,000 and as NHS trusts confirmed the deaths of more health workers after Mr Hancock paid tribute to 19 NHS staff who died after contracting Covid-19.

The body said it would provide legal assistance to those making what it acknowledged was an “enormously difficult decision”.

It also warned nurses could face criminal prosecution for corporate manslaughter in “very rare” cases for walking away.

The RCN issued a seven-point safety plan for nurses to follow, with step six saying: “Ultimately, if you have exhausted all other measures to reduce the risk and you have not been given appropriate PPE in line with the UK Infection Prevention and Control guidance, you are entitled to refuse to work.

“This will be a last resort and the RCN recognises what a difficult step this would be for nursing staff.”

The RCN recommends those choosing to withdraw care should keep written justifications of their decisions and told nurses to brace for attempts to sack them, claims of clinical negligence, and possibly facing criticism at inquests or even criminal charges.

Boris Johnson personally thanked several health workers by name following his discharge from hospital on Sunday after being admitted with coronavirus symptoms seven days earlier.

The prime minister admitted “things could have gone either way” while he was in intensive care as he singled out two nurses who stood by his bedside for 48 hours – Jenny, from Invercargill, in New Zealand, and Luis, from Porto, in Portugal.

Additional reporting by Press Association.