What’s being done to get enough PPE to everybody?

PPE (personal protective equipment) is in high demand due to the COVID pandemic, with face masks, aprons and gloves in short supply for NHS and care workers. Other essential workers that come into contact with the public, such as plumbers and electricians carrying out emergency work, are finding it difficult to source enough PPE.

Some NHS staff have complained that the PPE they have to use is either inadequate or in short supply. Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) have told doctors that they must source their own PPE when their stocks run out.

The police are also concerned about PPE stocks. The Police Federation has urged the government to remove any hurdles to acquiring protective equipment.

Private industries are helping by donating PPE to the NHS. The “Plea for PPE” is a call to construction companies to donate any masks, disposable suits, eye and face protection PPE they have.

Many manufacturing companies are switching to PPE production. Jaguar Land Rover’s prototype department and other engineers are making protective visors. Clothing manufacturers have received calls from hospitals. The Make It British organisations said that hospitals have asked manufacturers:

"Can you make us anything? We are desperate for any protective equipment, anything that you can provide"

Online PPE suppliers are still open and delivering orders, but stocks of some items may be low or out of stock.

Essential workers are still going to work and many need to wear PPE. The government’s PPE guidance has been updated to protect workers from COVID-19 infection.