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NHS Confederation - NHS needs additional funding to cover cost of PPE supplies

Dr Layla McCay, director at the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare system, responded to the NAO’s report about the supply of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic 

“Going into this pandemic, it is clear that the UK was not fully prepared when it came to PPE supplies. The anxiety NHS leaders and staff experienced in ‘living hand to mouth’ with PPE supplies earlier this year must never be repeated. But lessons have been learned and since March the Government has developed more robust supply chains.

“As the NAO reports, the Government is on course to have stockpiled four months’ supply of PPE this month – this is major improvement from where we were at the start of the pandemic.

“We also need to learn lessons about the supply of appropriate-sized PPE for BME staff in particular. This has been a significant concern for NHS leaders and we need to ensure there is sufficient stock of all the different types of masks and other items of PPE such as gowns.

“Finally, we are expecting the Government to announce how it will pay for PPE into next year. This report from the Health Foundation, which we support, suggests that £27bn will be needed next year for both PPE and Covid testing and contact tracing. While the £3 billion earmarked for the NHS already by the Chancellor is welcome, it is the bare minimum and must be followed up with the additional funding in the Spending Review that will be required to meet the broader costs of COVID-19.”

The supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic

Original article link: https://www.nhsconfed.org/news/2020/11/nhs-needs-additional-funding-to-cover-cost-of-ppe-supplies

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