Free PPE to all front line workers for another year will be a 'welcome relief,' say care chiefs

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced free PPE for all frontline health and care staff has been extended until 31 March 2023.

The move follows a public consultation which 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. A total of 95 per cent of respondents were in favour of extending the offer of free PPE.

The Homecare Association and Care England are “pleased” the government has “listened” to the sector by extending the offer of free PPE.

Chief executive of Homecare Association, Dr Jane Townson said: “This extension is a welcome relief for home care providers who already face some of the most serious challenges the sector has ever faced.

"Workforce shortages are the worst in living memory and are being exacerbated by staff absence due to the Omicron variant, delays in PCR test turnaround times, difficulties in obtaining lateral flow tests and the impending requirement for vaccination as a condition of deployment, which could result in loss of 20 per cent of the homecare workforce."

Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: “The sector is currently contending with a multitude of issues against a backdrop of outbreaks and rising infection levels, so this represents a welcome relief and will provide a real boost for the sector as we learn to live with covid.

"Most importantly, the continuation of free PPE will continue to help better protect some of society’s most vulnerable.”

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: “Throughout the pandemic, we have taken swift action to secure the PPE health and social care providers need to ensure staff, patients and residents are protected.

“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.”