Procuring and Supplying PPE for the COVID-19 Pandemic

Procuring and Supplying PPE for the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Auditor General for Wales published this Report in April 2021 which focused on the national efforts to supply health and social care in Wales. Arrangements for local procurement of PPE by NHS and local government bodies, nor the logistical arrangements in place locally to distribute PPE directly to frontline staff were not reviewed as part of this study but did reflect evidence collected by professional bodies about the views of front-line staff.

 

The report focused on the national efforts to supply health and social care in Wales. Arrangements for local procurement of PPE by NHS and local government bodies, nor the logistical arrangements in place locally to distribute PPE directly to frontline staff were not reviewed as part of this study but did reflect evidence collected by professional bodies about the views of front-line staff.

 

The study found that, “In collaboration with other public services, Shared Services overcame early challenges to provide health and care bodies with the PPE required by guidance without running out of stock at a national level. It is now in a far stronger position, with stockpiles of most PPE equipment and orders in train for those that are below 24 weeks. Some frontline staff have reported that they experienced shortages of PPE and some felt they should have had a higher level of PPE than required by guidance.

 

The Welsh Government and Shared Services put in place good arrangements overall to procure PPE that helped manage risks and avoid some of the issues reported on in England. However, Shared Services did not publish contract award notices for all its PPE contracts within 30 days of them being let.”

 

The Welsh Government responded to the Auditor General in June 2021.

 

The Public Accounts & Public Administration Committee considered the findings of this Report in Autumn 2021and discussed with the Welsh Government on 17 November 2021.

 

Business type: Other

First published: 05/08/2021

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