Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 21
21
There have been numerous media reports of PPE shortages for health and social care staff...
Conclusion
There have been numerous media reports of PPE shortages for health and social care staff and stakeholders have told us how the failure to provide adequate and timely PPE has impacted staff morale, trust and confidence.61 In the period from 6 April to 19 May, more than 80% of local resilience forums reported that PPE was having a high or significant disruptive impact in their area across health and social care services, putting staff and others at risk.62
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.