Local nurses get hand cream donation to treat skin damage from PPE

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) has announced that it's donating €70,000 for the purchase of ‘Propolis’ cream to counter skin damage affecting frontline nursing staff due to their prolonged wearing of PPE when treating patients with Covid-19.

This action by the union's national executive is to support nurses in hospitals and Intensive Care Units in a practical way, including nurses in the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar.

Nurses treating patients with Covid-19 must wear PPE, including face masks and visors while continuously washing and sanitizing their hands to help prevent contact and spread of the virus.

Prolonged use of PPE can damage skin and cause irritation and sometimes skin breakage.

Propolis cream is a recognised, non-chemical cream that can relieve irritation from skin rash caused from the use of PPE.

Local Mullingar CWU Branch Officer, Barry Carr, commented: "The whole nation has been in awe of the courage, dedication and sheer professionalism of frontline medical staff, including our nurses, doctors, ambulance paramedics and other caregivers treating patients throughout this health emergency, often in the face of a significant threat to personal safety.

"This relatively small donation by the Union is as a result of numerous requests from branches and postal and communications workers across the country to recognise this amazing contribution in a very practical way.

"The choice of Propolis cream has come from discussions with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and we are delighted to be working with them on this initiative in securing a supply of Propolis cream and in its distribution to frontline nurses.

"We realise that this donation will only be sufficient for approximately 5,000 nurses across 25 hospitals, but we hope other Unions, groups or employers might consider doing something similar."

The distribution of ‘Propolis’ cream to nurses in front-line hospitals is being organised through the INMO with the assistance of local CWU Branches.