Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has raised concerns over the SNP government’s new PPE action plan, as a response to a parliamentary question showed that over 1.7 million FFP3 respirators had their expiry dates extended by several years.

The masks, manufactured by 3M, had an expiry date of 2016 changed to 2021, and over 106,000 FFP3 respirators made by Alpha Solway had expiry dates changed from 2012 to 2021. A total of 1,878,965 masks have had their shelf life extended.

Earlier this week the Scottish Government published its PPE Action plan, committing to providing key workers with access to PPE to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic through winter and beyond.

The Action Plan covers health, social care and other essential public services where people need to wear masks, gloves, eye protection and/or gowns to combat the virus, along with plans for a viable supply chain.

Jackie Baillie has called out this unacceptable alteration of PPE dates. She has called on the Scottish Government to stop short changing frontline workers and called for staff to be given a full supply of up to date protective clothing.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“Our cherished NHS frontline workers are working in unimaginable circumstances to keep the most vulnerable people in our community safe. The least we can do for them is to ensure that they have all the support and protection needed to do their jobs safely.

“These workers deserve far more than to be short changed by the Scottish Government and palmed off with shoddy, out of date equipment.

“The Scottish Government must work with health boards to urgently recall any unsuitable PPE and ensure that NHS staff have everything that they need and deserve as they continue to fight this awful virus.”