27 March2020
Dear Business Leader
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
NHS West Essex CCG
Jane Kinniburgh
Director of Nursing & Quality
NHS West EssexCCG
Building 4
Spencer Close
St Margaret’s Hospital
The Plain
Epping
Essex
CM16 6TN
The NHS is doingallitcan to prepareforthenextphase of the coronavirus(COVID-19)pandemic. Personalprotectiveequipment (PPE)isakeyfactorinlimitingthe spread of thisdisease. It isalso vitalto enableNHS staff tocareforpatients.
The World Health Organisationhasidentifiedthatthe currentglobalstockpileof PPEisinsufficient, particularlyfor medicalmasksand respirators; the supplyofgloves,gownsandgoggles issoonexpectedtobe insufficientalso.
The NHS supplychainhasbeenproviding PPE and isincreasing itscapacity.Butasyoumayhaveseen orread,demand is currently outstripping supply.
At the sametime pilesof commercialPPE stockslayidle withinorganisationsorbusinessesthatarecurrently temporarily closeddueto theoutbreak.
Thisis equipmentthat NHS and careorganisationsin West Essexcouldbe using tobolsterthenational supplies.
Asa short-termmeasure we arethereforeasking localbusiness and organisations inWest Essex to help withthesupplyof:
- Disposableplasticaprons
- Disposableexamination gloves (allsizes) latex or nitrile if possible
- Facemasks – Fluid resistant(type 11R) single use, disposable
- Eyeprotection /goggles – plastic (can be decontaminated with chlorine based disinfectant if not disposable)
- Facevisors
- Scrubs
- Alcohol-basedhand sanitisers – needs to be 60% alcohol, ideally 70%
- Liquid soap
- Pape handtowels
Weof course appreciate donationsbut willbeputting inplacearrangements forreasonable reimbursement as required.
Ifyouarenot sure yourequipment is of the rightgrade, pleasegetin touchandwecanprovideadvice.
Ifyouhave anyof the aboveproductsand are willing to sharethem withNHS andcareorganisations across West Essexplease contact:
- Email: 01992 566 124
- Phone:
Yourssincerely
Jane Kinniburgh
DirectorofNursing & Quality
NHS West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group