The Government has announced it will extend free personal protective equipment for health and social care providers until the end of March 2023.
The Free Personal Protective Equipment Scheme ensures that health and social care providers have reliable access to the PPE needed for good infection control, limiting the spread of COVID-19. PPE available includes gloves, masks, eye protection, respirators, aprons and gowns to those who are eligible.
Who can benefit from the scheme?
The health and social care activities covered by the scheme include:
- General medical practice activities
- Dental practice activities (including orthodontic activities)
- Residential care activities (both adult and child)
- Social work activities without accommodation (but not including child daycare activities, which do not involve an element of social care)
Could the PPE Scheme be withdrawn?
The scheme has been extended to 31 March 2023 or until the National Infection Prevention Control Manual (NIPCM) guidance is withdrawn or significantly amended.
Further Information
Free Personal Protective Equipment Scheme
Providers also have access to an online portal for ongoing provision of free PPE
Guidance and further information about accessing free PPE and the PPE portal, including order limits for individual sectors and the products available to each sector