Extending Free PPE to the Health & Social Care Sector

Care England, the largest and most diverse representative body for independent providers of adult social care, has responded to the Department of Health and Social Care consultation on extending the provision of free personal protective equipment (PPE) to the health and care sector after 31 March 2022.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:

“PPE is one of the main foundations in a care setting to limiting the spread of Covid-19 and other infectious diseases. As the Government has made clear, the vaccine is not a silver bullet. The care sector must remain astute by maintaining high levels of infection prevention and control. PPE plays a huge role in this. The continuation of free PPE will continue to help better protect some of society’s most vulnerable”.

The DHSC Consultation extending free PPE to the health and care sector closes on 31 October.  In its submission, Care England was at pains to point out that the Government’s free PPE via a centralised mechanism had been an enormous win and huge boost for providers. It warned that returning to a situation similar to March 2020, when there were huge challenges in accessing PPE, would be a retrograde step in the management of the ongoing pandemic.

Martin Green continues:

“Standing down the supply of free PPE may put the adult social care sector at risk of being ill prepared to cope with new outbreaks and rises in infection levels. Naturally, providers could purchase PPE from their own suppliers or wholesalers, however this is on the assumption that the PPE is being procured in the UK and providers can access the quantity and type of PPE required on short notice. Further, the requirement for providers to re-establish their PPE procurement and logistics network would have the added impact of diverting their teams from other important activities”. 

Ends

Notes to editors:

1)       Care England is the largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care

2)       For Care England press enquiries related to this release, please contact Antonella Corby (020) 7492 4843 or email acorby@careengland.org.uk

3)       @CareEngland & @CareEngDigital  #wecareforengland