The nursing workforce is predominantly female and richly diverse, encompassing a wide range of ethnicities, religious beliefs, and individuals living with disabilities. It is essential that personal protective equipment (PPE) provided to nursing staff reflects and respects this diversity, ensuring both safety and dignity in the workplace.

RCN members experienced difficulties with access to suitable and inclusive PPE during the pandemic, particularly respiratory protective equipment, and they continue to experience issues to this day.

This session will launch the RCN’s position statement on Inclusive Personal Protective Equipment for a Diverse Nursing Workforce which looks at the evidence and places calls on manufacturers, suppliers, regulators and employers to address the issues.