NURSES in Glasgow are being “hounded into silence” as they try to raise concerns over personal protective equipment (PPE), a whistleblower has claimed.

The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC) medic says staff are being viewed as “insignificant” by bosses at the health board.

The nurse, who is treating Covid-19 patients on the frontline, claims staff have been told they could lose their jobs if they speak out. 

The whistleblower said: “Many nurses are hounded into silence on this subject due to the nature of the job.

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“We give our hearts, our health, and our lives for the safety of others. Yet our superiors view us in such an insignificant manner that our safety and lives are less important to them than those for whom we care. This saddens me greatly.

“All we want to be is safe. Safe to care for others. We are insignificant. We are numbers. We are statistics. We are disposable cogs.” 

The nurse, who is using the name Faceless Frontliner, has posted several videos on YouTube in recent weeks claiming to “expose” PPE concerns. 

Issues over PPE have been raised frequently during the pandemic and the Glasgow Times understands a lack of masks designed to fit female staff as being a particular concern in Scotland. 

Eileen McKenna, associate director at Royal College of Nursing Scotland, couldn’t comment on a specific case but said: “Nursing staff are on the frontline of fighting this pandemic. Our members want to deliver the best and safest care they can. To do this they must be supplied with the correct PPE to protect them from infection have easy access to testing.

 “Routine testing for health and care workers, whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms, would help detect cases early, reduce transmission in hospital and community health settings and better protect staff and the patients they care for.”

An NHS GGC spokesperson said: “The national guidance for the use of PPE is based on expert advice from Health Protection Scotland, and is followed by every NHS Board across Scotland. We want to reassure all our staff that we provide the appropriate PPE for them to perform their duties safely.

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“We are obviously concerned that this individual member of staff remains anxious and want to support them and reassure them that every member of staff is free to raise concerns.

“We would encourage them to speak to their line manager about their concerns that we can reassure them that the PPE they have been provided is appropriate and is being worn safely by healthcare staff across Scotland.”