Recommendation 8

Similarly, procuring and distributing PPE involved a range of bodies, including the Department, Public Health England, local NHS providers and care homes, yet until the appointment of Lord Deighton in mid-April no one took the lead in making sure there was sufficient PPE.16 Public Health England told us that it was responsible for holding and adjusting the PPE stockpile on behalf of the Department, but did not make policy decisions on its contents, management or use.17 When challenged on its part in ensuring sufficient PPE supply, the Department explained that it had worked with NHSE&I, alongside the Foreign Office and others, to source international supply, but it stressed the difficulties it faced given worldwide demand. We noted the significant increases in PPE supplies since Lord Deighton’s appointment.18 9 Q 10; C&AG’s Report, para 1.3, 1.13 10 C&AG’s Report, para 1.3 11 Qq 58, 63, 118–119; C&AG’s Report, paras 10–13,18 12 Qq 11, 120 13 Committee of Public Accounts, NHS capital expenditure and financial management, Eighth Report of Session 2019–21, HC 344, 8 July 2020, para 22; C&AG’s Report, paras 19, 20; RSC0010 NHS Confederation submission; RSC0004 NHS Providers submission; RSC0001 Care England submission 14 Qq 18–20, 23–26, 34, 98 15 Qq 17–19 16 Qq 62, 75, 79, 87–88 17 Qq 75 18 Qq 62, 87–88 Readying the NHS and social care for the COVID-19 peak 11 Discharging people from hospitals to care homes