Recommended PPE for primary, outpatient, community

and social care by setting, NHS and independent sector

Disposable Fluid-resistant
Disposable Disposable Surgical Filtering face Eye/face
Setting Context Gloves Plastic Apron
fluid-repellent
mask
(Type IIR)
piece respirator protection1
coverall/gown surgical mask

Any setting Performing an aerosol generating procedure2 on

a possible or confirmed case3 single use4 single use4 single use4 single use4

Primary care, ambulatory care, and other Direct patient care – possible or confirmed case(s)3 single or single or
non emergency outpatient and other (within 2 metres) single use4 single use4
sessional use4,5 sessional use4,5
clinical settings e.g. optometry, dental,
maternity, mental health Working in reception/communal area with possible
or confirmed case(s)3 and unable to maintain 2 metres sessional use5
social distance6

Individuals own home Direct care to any member of the household where risk assess
(current place of residence) any member of the household is a possible or single or
single use4 single use4 single or
confirmed case3,7 sessional use4,5
sessional use4,5,8

Direct care or visit to any individuals in the extremely

vulnerable group or where a member of the
household is within the extremely vulnerable group single use4 single use4 single use4
undergoing shielding9

Home birth where any member of the household single or single or

is a possible or confirmed case3,7 single use4 single use4 single use4
sessional use4,5 sessional use4,5
© Crown copyright 2020. Public Health England Gateway number: 2019302. V1. 08-04-2020

Community and social care, care home, Facility with possible or confirmed case(s)3 – and direct
mental health inpatients and other resident care (within 2 metres) risk assess
overnight care facilities e.g. learning single use4 single use4 sessional use5 sessional use5,8
disability, hospices, prison healthcare

Any setting Collection of nasopharyngeal swab(s) single or single or single or

single use4
sessional use4,5 sessional use4,5 sessional use4,5

Table 2
1. This may be single or reusable face/eye protection/full face visor or goggles.
2. The list of aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) is included in section 8.1 at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control/covid-19-personal-protective-equipment-ppe. (Note APGs are undergoing a further review at present)
3. A case is any individual meeting case definition for a possible or confirmed case: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-initial-investigation-of-possible-cases/investigation-and-initial-clinical-management-of-possible-cases-of-wuhan-novel-coronavirus-wn-cov-infection
4. S  ingle use refers to disposal of PPE or decontamination of reusable items e.g. eye protection or respirator, after each patient and/or following completion of a procedure, task, or session; dispose or decontaminate reusable items after each patient contact as per Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs).
5. A single session refers to a period of time where a health care worker is undertaking duties in a specific care setting/exposure environment e.g. on a ward round; providing ongoing care for inpatients. A session ends when the health care worker leaves the care setting/exposure environment.
Sessional use should always be risk assessed and considered where there are high rates of hospital cases. PPE should be disposed of after each session or earlier if damaged, soiled, or uncomfortable.
6. Non clinical staff should maintain 2m social distancing, through marking out a controlled distance; sessional use should always be risk assessed and considered where there are high rates of community cases.
7. Initial risk assessment should take place by phone prior to entering the premises or at 2 metres social distance on entering; where the health or social care worker assesses that an individual is symptomatic with suspected/confirmed cases appropriate PPE should be put on prior to providing care.
8. Risk assessed use refers to utilising PPE when there is an anticipated/likely risk of contamination with splashes, droplets or blood or body fluids.
9. For explanation of shielding and definition of extremely vulnerable groups see guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19