PPE for nursing and care homes (FOI)PPE for nursing and care homes (FOI)
Produced by the Freedom of Information officeAuthored by Government of Jersey and published on
26 October 2020.Prepared internally, no external costs.
Request
A
How much PPE has been spent so far on free PPE to nursing and care homes?
B
Why are local businesses not being asked to supply PPE?
C
Some local businesses have been supplying PPE for years to nursing and care homes prior to Covid so why they are being ignored when PPE portal knows there is ample stock in the island?
D
Are people in Jersey aware that taxpayer’s money will be paying for free PPE to nursing and care homes?
Response
A
Since the start of the PPE Portal in April 2020, the value of PPE provided to nursing and care homes free of charge is:
PPE Distribution to Jersey Nursing and Care Homes – April to September 2020 inclusive | Cost |
| Body Covering | £7,261 |
| Cleaning Products | £6,165 |
| Eye Protection | £1,059 |
| Gloves | £24,714 |
| Hand Sanitiser | £9,873 |
| Respiratory Protective Equipment - FFP3 and Similar | £1,881 |
| Respiratory Protective Equipment - Surgical Masks | £80,727 |
| Total | £131,678 |
B
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we needed to acquire a significant amount of PPE in a very short time period. Once this had been achieved, we needed to maintain at least 21 days of stock at all times. The Department of Health and Social Care ‘push pallet’ provides PPE free of charge to the Government of Jersey to maintain this 21 day stock level. In recent months, as our demand for PPE reduced in line with the incidence of Covid-19, the 21 days stock level had been maintained without needing restocking.
C
The Minister of Health and Social Services, acting on behalf of Council of Ministers, has instructed that PPE continue to be provided free of charge to regulated care providers for which he has ministerial responsibility. These regulated providers include nursing and care homes.
As we approach winter, and as the global pandemic continues to worsen, Council of Ministers determined that PPE sufficient to meet the demands of a second wave of Covid-19 (worst case scenario) was secured. The amounts of PPE to be procured are considerable, and maximum value is more likely to be achieved by procuring this stock in bulk from a single or small number of sources.
Once the Council of Ministers ‘worst case scenario’ stock level can be assured, the potential for the contribution of local suppliers can be reviewed. There may then be opportunities for local suppliers to replenish stock used in response to any second wave Covid-19.
D
We have not actively communicated to the public that Government will fund the PPE to nursing and care homes.
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