Care chiefs welcomes government announcement to extend free PPE until March 2022

Care England and the National Care Forum (NCF) have welcomed the government’s decision to extend free PPE to all care providers, until the end of March 2022.

The government confirmed it is extending the provision of free PPE to health and social care providers as the expectation of usage will remain high throughout the next financial year.

To protect the health and wellbeing of health and social workers, as well as their patients and clients, the government say the continued provision ordered from the government website will ensure frontline workers can access rigorously tested and high-quality PPE.

Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: "PPE is one of the main barriers in a care setting to limiting the spread of Covid-19 thus Care England is pleased the government has listened to its pleas for an extension to free PPE as it will help protect some of society's most vulnerable as well as our staff at the frontline.”

The government states the provision of free PPE will support the roadmap out of lockdown whilst the vaccine programme continues to reach more people.

Professor Green added: “PPE also plays a critical role in the wider Covid-19 response, such as enabling visiting to care homes. We do not know what the winter this year will bring but free, rigorously tested PPE gives providers a chance to be prepared.”

Vic Rayner, chief executive from the NCF announced on Twitter: “Very reassuring to have this commitment at the beginning of the new year - helping with planning and supporting infection prevention and control measures.”

The government has warned the vaccine is not a silver bullet and the care sector must remain astute by maintaining high levels of infection prevention and control therefore PPE will play a huge role in this.

Care England added that the announcement by the government secures the ability for the system to respond nimbly to the ever-changing Covid landscape.

To access the government PPE portal, go to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ppe-portal-how-to-order-covid-19-personal-protective-equipment