Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what evidence the Government has used to reach its decision to recommend the use of aprons rather than gowns on lower risk inpatient wards with patients who have tested positive for covid-19; and for what reasons guidance for the NHS is different from that of the World Health Organisation.

The United Kingdom Government and devolved administrations published clear guidance on COVID-19 personal protective equipment for health and social care workers. This has been written and reviewed by all four UK public health bodies and informed by National Health Service infection prevention control experts. The guidance can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control/covid-19-personal-protective-equipment-ppe

The guidance is consistent with World Health Organization (WHO) guidance for protecting health and social care workers from COVID-19. The use of aprons rather than gowns for non-aerosol generating procedures, including advice on thoroughly washing forearms if there is a risk of exposure to droplets is consistent with the UK policy of bare below the elbows and evidence reviews on the risks of healthcare acquired infections. This is a longstanding policy difference between the WHO and the United Kingdom.

More information can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-personal-protective-equipment-ppe-guidance-for-nhs-teams