This report sets out the decision to purchase
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff and external care
providers for their use during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Public Health England have prepared guidance on the range of
Personal Protective Equipment that is required to keep staff safe
when they are unable to maintain a distance of greater than 2
metres from customers and clients. Shortages of PPE is a global
issue and whilst emergency stocks are being provided through the
Local Resilience Forum the volumes are insufficient to meet ongoing
demand. During the outbreak the Council is also required to provide
emergency stocks of PPE to external care providers, Funeral
Directors and Hospices.
A team dedicated to the assessment and provision to supplying PPE
to staff and others has issued over 56,000 items of PPE and whilst
other PPE providers are now able to provide items of PPE the
lead-in times are extended.
Additionally there is a potential that the country will experience
a second wave of the virus and in these circumstances it is
imperative that the Council has sufficient PPE in reserve to ensure
that it can cope with any future shortages.
It is the decision of the Executive Director of Resources, in
consultation with the Leader of the Council, to purchase Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) to the value of £70,000 to ensure
that the Council has sufficient contingency in place to balance
ongoing and future demand, especially where there is the greatest
demand and potential continuing national and global shortages,
namely Type IIR masks, surgical gloves and aprons.