FOI 25-569 FFP3 Masks for Responders

Freedom of Information Request

Reference
FOI 25-569 FFP3 Masks for Responders
Request Date
08 Dec 2025
Response Date
23 Dec 2025
Information Requested

The current SAS PPE policy for staff and volunteers - Any risk assessment carried out regarding volunteer responders and infectious pathogens spread by the airborne route/aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) - Internal emails/communications/meeting minutes regarding providing FFP3 masks to volunteer responders - Information regarding the face fitting process for FFP3 masks for operational staff - Staff are currently listed as requiring FFP3 masks and why it was decided volunteer groups should not fall into this category. - The Scottish Ambulance Service Dispatch Standard Operating Procedure(s) 

 

Response

The current SAS PPE policy for staff and volunteers 

The Scottish Ambulance Service does not have a PPE policy, staff and volunteers are advised to consult the National Infection Control Manual for information on PPE - National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Home. 

 

Any risk assessment carried out regarding volunteer responders and infectious pathogens spread by the airborne route/aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) 

The Scottish Ambulance Service does not hold any risk assessments in relation to the request. 

 

Internal emails/communications/meeting minutes regarding providing FFP3 masks to volunteer responders 

Please see the attached SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation) held in relation to providing FFP3 Masks to Volunteer Responders. 

 

Information regarding the face fitting process for FFP3 masks for operational staff 

Scottish Ambulance Service bases FFP3 face‑fit testing on national guidance, including the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) Transmission‑Based Precautions and HSE guidance on RPE fit testing. 2025-04-07-tbp-rpe-v40-final.pdf 

 

National Priority Risk Categorisation (minimum requirement; applies to out‑of‑hours services) 

  • Level 1 – Business as usual: Staff most likely to care for patients with airborne infections and/or to perform aerosol‑generating procedures (AGPs). This includes Emergency Departments (A&E), Intensive Care (ICU), Paediatrics, Respiratory, Infectious Diseases, Anaesthesia, Theatres, Chest Physiotherapists, Special Operations Response Team (Ambulance), A&E Ambulance staff, Bronchoscopy staff, Resuscitation teams, and Mortuary staff. 
  • Level 2 – Emerging threat preparedness: Staff likely to provide care if risk escalates—for example Medical Receiving, Surgical, Midwifery, and Specialty wards—as well as all other ambulance transport staff. 

 

 

Staff are currently listed as requiring FFP3 masks and why it was decided volunteer groups should not fall into this category 

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), public authorities are required to provide recorded information that is held at the time of the request. FOISA does not oblige authorities to create new information, compile analysis, or provide comments, explanations, or speculation on how decisions were made. 

 

The Scottish Ambulance Service’s Infection Prevention and Control team follows national guidance and official letters from the Scottish Government. 

 

 

The Scottish Ambulance Service Dispatch Standard Operating Procedure(s) 

Under FOISA section 25 (information otherwise accessible), the dispatch‑related information you requested is already publicly available: 

 

In This Section