PPE report on female healthcare workers: 'Apparently masks for smaller faces don’t exist!'

Research reveals that masks, visors, gloves and glasses are creating problems for female healthcare workers.

Hospital workers reported PPE-related injuries for skin breakdown from wearing masks, as well as overheating and dehydration from wearing multiple layers of gowns and aprons.

The study is the result of research from Loughborough University and the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trusts that surveyed more than 400 clinicians.

The key messages from the report:

More than 33,000 people, including 300 health and social care staff, died in the UK during the first COVID-19 wave – between April and May, 2020.

Professor Sue Hignett, of the Loughborough Design School, who led the study, said: 'Even with the intense demands on clinical staff during this period we received responses from over 400 clinicians, and importantly from 292 women (72%) which is representative of 70% NHS workforce.