PPE for six months held on-island

It currently has about six months’ supply of the equipment on-island, which includes surgical masks, non-latex gloves, disposable gowns and overshoes.

‘HSC has benefited from an exceptional level of support from procurement colleagues within the States of Guernsey who have worked tirelessly to source, stock and distribute throughout the global crisis,’ said a spokesman.

At the height of the pandemic, PPE was supplied to 130 different locations, including the private and third sectors: ‘This ensured that all health and care providers could continue their operations at an extremely difficult time.’

Five supply routes were used to source the equipment: 1, Department for Health & Social Care/NHS Supply Chain; 2, China; 3, Existing suppliers; 4, New suppliers; 5, Community

‘The sum of all the efforts of a great number of people within and beyond the Bailiwick was that two million items were sourced and delivered, at a cost of c. £900,000,’ said the spokesman.

‘HSC wishes to extend its thanks to many local companies and contacts who were involved, and to many members of the community who all stepped up to supply and support what was needed to manage the pandemic.’

Like elsewhere, HSC said it encountered higher than usual prices for this equipment ‘in the unprecedented pandemic marketplace’.

But it did not look to alternative supply routes: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, the SoG did not bid on eBay for any of these items and does not intend to do so.

‘At all times, procurement worked hard to minimise costs incurred and the Bailiwick benefited from a range of generous donations from business and the public for which it remains indebted.’

Two main issues were created by the pandemic, said the spokesman – significant extra demand and difficulty in the marketplace/volatility of supply. The States worked through both of these successfully.

Decisions with suppliers that needed to be taken quickly were approved through internal governance channels, which included a strategic coordinating group that met seven days a week at the pandemic’s height.

Six months’ stock of all PPE was available as of November, and HSC plans to maintain this: ‘This strategy provides mitigation against any second waves of the virus, and also in respect of Brexit, whereby supply chains may be impacted as a result of successor arrangements for trade routes and regulations in the new year.

‘HSC continues to be at the forefront of managing an ongoing pandemic response, which has required adequate stocks of PPE to be available at all times to protect valued staff and all those the organisation serves across a multitude of operational settings.’

PPE inventory

At all times, HSC has had available on-island stocks of the following core PPE items:-

• FFP3 respirators (either duckbill or cone according to fit)

• Surgical mask

• Visors

• Disposable surgical gown

• Non-latex gloves

• Overshoes

• Disposable medical cap

In addition, key consumables were sourced and available at all times, including the following product lines:

• Hand sanitisers - both standard and clip on for individual use

• Hand soap

• Tuffie wipes

• Mikrozoid wipes (used for electrical equipment)

• Chlorclean