Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 15
15
The Department stressed that it had to respond quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic often with...
Conclusion
The Department stressed that it had to respond quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic often with “imperfect knowledge”, which was why its approach had altered over time.43 But Care England told us that PPE guidance had changed no fewer than 40 times, causing confusion and anxiety to service providers and staff.44 When we asked why the PPE guidance had constantly changed, the Department said that when updating its guidance it was trying to match clinical advice, as understanding of the virus changed, to available supply. We challenged it on why it would in effect toughen guidance when it knew there was already insufficient supply. For example, guidance which said care homes needed new PPE for each patient had caused considerable anxiety. The Department told us it could not “simply be driven by supply in this case”.45
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
4.2 The department is confident that it has secured enough supply for this (2020-21) winter period and that it has processes and logistics in place to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to where it is needed. The government has now strengthened and diversified supply chains of PPE – looking to new suppliers abroad as well as boosting domestic manufacturing capability. Over 32 billion items of PPE have been ordered, and we are building stockpiles equivalent to approximately four months PPE modelled requirement at projected COVID-19 levels, which will be in place by November. The department has established a distribution system which ensures PPE can readily be accessed by those who need it, including expanding the PPE portal to ensure supply for social and primary care providers, free of charge. The department has moved from an emergency situation a few months earlier in 2020 to a stable situation which allows it to prepare with resilience for possible further any second spike or new wave. Details are contained in the PPE Strategy. Given the continuing global pandemic, there may be further supply-side shocks globally; if such issues arise the department will work through the established systems to address them.