Doncaster Council down to its last ‘two or three days’ worth of PPE

Damian Allen said the PPE situation has been at ‘red or very red’ for the majority of the Covid-19 fightback.

He said Doncaster and other councils were no different in facing difficulties in acquiring items such as surgical masks and disposable gloves, especially to care homes.

But Mr Allen said the council has worked with the South Yorkshire Resilience Forum in securing equipment and logistical supply has kept up with demand.

The council also managed to secure PPE from China in a joint bid with 10 other Yorkshire councils.

Mr Allen admitted the changing government guidance on PPE had ‘increased demand’ and ‘put pressure on supply’.

He said: “The PPE situation has always been rated as red or very red because of the national problems in securing PPE.

“What we’ve been able to do is to get sufficient amounts of PPE, but what I can say is that we’ve had PPE supply down to the last two or three days.

“We’ve also managed to secure our own and worked collaboratively with other Yorkshire councils – and directed the PPE to care homes

“The government has kept changing the guidance on PPE and this has increased demand and pressure on supply

“We’ve been very cooperative and it’s been an effective procurement and a very good logistical supply to maintain the flow of PPE and it will continue to be high on demand for surgical masks and gloves.”

A call was recently made across South Yorkshire for manufacturers and small businesses to turn their efforts in making PPE for care staff.

Companies and education establishments with 3D printers, and manufacturers of plastic, were urged to help with the production of visors, gloves, face masks and aprons.

Breweries or gin distilleries who can use their kit and alcohol supplies were asked to make hand sanitiser, as well as new 500ml pump dispenser bottles, to decant hand sanitiser into and for infection control purposes.

Textiles companies who can make scrubs and gowns were also asked if they could help in supplying equipment.