Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health and Social Services
Julie Morgan MS, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services
In October, we announced a service level agreement (SLA) had been reached between NHS Wales Shared Service Partnership (NWSSPP) and the Welsh Local Government Association, which fulfilled our commitment to continue to provide social care settings with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the duration of the pandemic.
Overall, since 9 March 2020, the total number of PPE items issued across health and social care is just over 1bn items. Of these, 451.4m items have been issued to social care.
The PPE situation continues to be stable and there are currently 24 weeks of all item types in stock at current usage levels with contingencies in place should usage rates rise again.
This support for staff has been further strengthened by our Programme for Government commitment to continue to provide free PPE for health and care staff as long as is needed to deal with the pandemic. In delivering this commitment we are have extended the SLA until March 2022 to continue to support health and care staff.
The details of the SLA extend the existing provision of PPE, which mean service providers should see no changes to the supply process and can continue to acquire equipment as needed to support their staff.
The provision of free PPE is also available to independent social care providers.
Officials continue to work closely with Public Health Wales to monitor and review the supporting guidance on infection prevention and control and the appropriate use of PPE in health and social care settings.
Any updates and amendments to the guidance will be communicated as soon as it is available through our appropriate networks however we would encourage all those working within the sector to be aware of, and familiarise themselves with, the latest guidance, which is available at: Public Health Wales' guidance for health and social care professionals | GOV.WALES