London boroughs launch PPE partnership

Councils in London have launched a new partnership to secure emergency supplies of PPE for care homes and other crucial local services.

The partnership will build on a supply chain established by the West London Alliance and will allow all 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation to access PPE supply lines.

This work is supported by the London Strategic Co-ordination Group (SCG) as part of the capital’s emergency response to the pandemic and will complement the government’s national supply lines.

The West London Alliance’s programme has already seen more than 9.6 million PPE items distributed to participating boroughs since the start of the pandemic.

Over 7.5 million items of PPE have already been delivered by London Fire Brigade on behalf of the SCG, including to primary care services and other partners.

Ealing Council will act as the lead supply borough, with the priority being to get PPE to social care services.

‘Boroughs are acting quickly and decisively to boost PPE supplies and ensure equipment gets to those who need it most,’ said London Councils’executive member for health and care, Cllr Ray Puddifoot.

‘London’s social care is on the frontline of the Covid-19 crisis and boroughs are working flat out to protect vulnerable Londoners and the heroic social care staff supporting them.

‘This new partnership means all boroughs will benefit from improved access to PPE, helping London care homes and other local services get the equipment they need. London’s boroughs have stepped up to the plate and are playing a leading role in the capital’s response to the pandemic,’ added Cllr Puddifoot.

The leader of Ealing Council, Cllr Julian Bell, added: ‘I’m proud that the great work of the West London Alliance and Ealing’s procurement team has been recognised and that we are now buying on behalf of the whole of London vital PPE for our fantastic frontline care workers

‘I want to pay tribute to everybody who is working so hard to get this vital PPE out to people. So, I thank you for what you are doing. And also thank you to those fantastic frontline care workers and NHS workers, and also to everyone else for staying at home, because by doing so you’re protecting the NHS and you’re saving lives.’

Photo Credit – Leo2014 (Pixabay)