The RCN expects that all employers support their staff to make known their needs in respect of PPE. The RCN also recognise that certain health conditions will make it more difficult to tolerate wearing PPE. Employers should assess any risks to these individuals and make necessary adjustments under both health and safety and equality law. See ‘PPE for staff with disabilities or impairments’ above. You can also see our Health ability passport guidance. Further information Fit testing must be carried out by a competent person as described by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). What if I have concerns about fit testing? It is always important to recognise that for many reasons the impact of the menopause may differ greatly for individuals. A list of external accredited fit testerscanprovide training for additional fit testers within your organisation. Raising concerns

The Equality Act 2010 (and in Northern Ireland the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) states that employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for employees who meet the definition of disabled. This applies to PPE equipment and the processes around administering PPE. The RCN believes that reasonable adjustments should be granted whether this definition is met or not, on the grounds that reasonable adjustments help us to work to the best of our abilities. The RCN’s advice guide on disability discrimination provides lots of helpful information on disability and your employer’s responsibilities. Additional guidance is available in the collaborative document Ethical dimensions of COVID-19 for frontline staff. Raising concerns

The NMC statement on personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic(April 2020) supports the RCN guidance and reflects the realities of clinical decision-making in the context of this pandemic.

If there is an urgent requirement that cannot be currently met, please call the National Supply Disruption Response (NSDR) team on 0800 915 9964. Your employer should work with you to ensure that any risk of PPE affecting your impairment and ability to continue in your role is recognised and processes put in place to mitigate the risk. This may mean adjusting processes around donning and doffing of PPE, exploring options for adapted PPE and/or opportunities to fit PPE, and be confident that it is fit for purpose prior to use in a clinical setting. Open the fabric with the right side still facing down. You should see the outline and seam allowance you made on the right-hand side of the material. Our publication Removing disabling barriers at work and our online guide on health ability passportscover the benefits of a diverse workforce including those with impairments and the reasonable adjustments process. For some, PPE is a disabling barrier, for example, employees who communicate well through the ability to lip read will have this communication route disrupted if colleagues are wearing face masks.Many health care professionals have impairments that could mean standard issue PPE is not effective. These include but are not limited to: Proteins found in NRL are known sensitizers which can cause allergic reactions in some individuals and may lead to serious health effects and should be avoided if possible. The RCN expects all health and social care organisations to have and to follow their policies on the management of latex allergy in staff and patients.