The Department of Health and Social Care has responded to our MPs questions. (see news item here ).
Their response does not answer the main question of where almshouses fit in the priority list and many are in need of equipment now ā so we will be requesting a specific answer to our question. This is not a time for certification and regulation to stand in the way of protecting vulnerable people when they need it.
From:Ā Department of Health and Social Care
Sent:Ā 14 May 2020
To:Ā Nick Phillips
Subject:Ā Your correspondence about personal protective equipment
Thank you for your correspondence about personal protective equipment (PPE).
There is unprecedented global demand for personal protective equipment as a result of this pandemic. Ministers have been upfront about the challenges faced due to the huge international demand for PPE, but are committed and determined to support the health and social care sectors.
The Government has been working around the clock with industry and the British Army to provide the NHS and the social care sector with the equipment and support they need to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak. A new national supply and logistics network has been created from scratch in a matter of weeks to manage supply and demand across the UK, and to make sure appropriate PPE reaches those who need it.
All care homes, hospices and home care providers are receiving PPE deliveries. It is our priority to ensure frontline staff feel as protected and as safe as possible. Millions of items of PPE have been delivered for those working in care homes and for home care providers.
Organisations that have an urgent clinical need for PPE but cannot get it through the usual channels can call the National Supply Disruption Response team, which can advise on alternative suppliers or facilitate an emergency delivery, on 0800 915 9964 or by email atĀ supplydisruptionservice@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
A new dedicated team has been set up to focus on securing supplies and identifying PPE suppliers from across the globe to meet the increasing demand for a growing list of products, with a ācall to armsā to businesses to turn their manufacturing efforts to this response to meet technical specifications published by the Government. Lord Deighton has been appointed to lead the national effort to boost PPE production.
The Government has received over 12,800 offers of support from suppliers and are working rapidly to assess these, ensuring they meet the safety and quality standards that our NHS and social care staff need, and to prioritise larger volumes. All suppliers making contact through the official portal will receive an immediate response acknowledging their offer. Ministers continue to urge any companies that feel they have not had a response to continue to come forward.
Some of these organisations, including Kingfisher Group, Apple, Huawei and BP, have also generously offered their own PPE for use by the NHS and public organisations, and we are working with wholesalers to ensure a longer-term supply of all aspects of PPE for the health and care sectors, including gloves, aprons, face masks and hand sanitisers.
The Government has also announced that VAT on essential PPE for COVID-19 will be temporarily scrapped, saving more than Ā£100million for care homes and businesses dealing with the outbreak.
The full weight of the Government is behind this effort. Industry, social care providers, the NHS, and the army are working together to ensure the right equipment continues to be delivered.
I hope this reply is helpful.
Yours sincerely
Daniel BelmoreĀ
Ministerial Correspondence and Public Enquiries
Department of Health and Social Care
Posted 18th May 2020