The offer of free PPE to frontline health and social care staff in England has been extended for another year.
Following a public consultation, NHS trusts, primary care and adult social care providers will continue to receive COVID-19 PPE free of charge until 31 March 2023 or until infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance is withdrawn or significantly amended. This is to ensure that staff and their patients are protected.
New PPE platform
The government is also developing an improved platform for the procurement of PPE that will be quicker and easier to use. Health and social care providers have been invited to test-drive the new platform and help design a service that works best for them. The new and improved features will enable quick ordering options and status updates.
Health Minister Edward Argar said: ‘We are extending the offer of free PPE to help relieve pressure on the health and care system, working hand in hand with providers to develop a new ordering platform that works best for them.’
Findings of PPE consultation
A public consultation was launched in October 2021 to determine whether to extend the central, free provision of PPE. Over 5,000 responses were received, from a range of people and organisations, including primary and social care providers, community health care services, and PPE wholesalers and suppliers. 95% of respondents were in favour of extending the offer of free PPE.
Following customer testing and trial launch, the new PPE portal will be rolled out to all eligible users from April.
Further Information
Extending free PPE to the health and care sector: government response to public consultation