We are currently not aware of any issues being reported with business-as-usual supply chains for PPE across north east London. We are fully prepared in case this changes as we move further into the winter season and there are a number of emergency routes in place.
DHSC eCommerce Portal
Approximately 83% of health and social care organisations across north east London have now registered with the DHSC eCommerce Portal, which is an emergency route if there are any issues with ordering via their usual sources. The portal can be used by:
We are contacting organisations who have not yet registered to make sure they sign up so they can use this to order PPE if they need to.
Escalation Route
If organisations have issues with obtaining PPE from their current supply chain, they should contact the National Supply Distribution Response. The helpline is able to respond to calls and emails about PPE supplies. This hotline is open 24/7 on 0800 915 9964 or via email supplydisruptionservice@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
NEL Emergency PPE Hub
As an extra level of resilience, our NEL Emergency PPE Hub continues to operate from Whipps Cross Hospital to make sure organisations have the PPE to keep staff safe.
“As a frequent user of your emergency ordering service over the last few months, I do appreciate your service. The service is reliable and efficient. Thanks very much for providing such a reliable service to us and I hope you continue to do so.” Jasudra Hameed, Dr Dhital Practice, Walthamstow.
The team at the NEL Emergency PPE Hub increased quantities of PPE that organisations can order to support the rollout of the flu vaccines and to help prepare for winter, and orders continue to come in.
Joanna O’Sullivan, manager of the PPE Hub, says “Since we opened this year we have delivered over 450,000 of emergency PPE items to over 300 different organisations across north east London. We are prepared for any future increases in demand.”
As part of the work undertaken at the start of the pandemic to get thePPE hub set up, a new digital platform was introduced so the team could see thePPE stock levels of organisations across north east London. This work was undertaken in partnership with FutureGov and has been shortlisted for an HSJ Award in the ‘Driving Efficiency Through Technology’ category.
Lucie Jaggar, Chief Procurement Officer for Barts Health adds “The hub is fully staffed, fully stocked and continues to process orders within the next working day, for delivery the following day. It is currently free of charge and is a joint initiative between Barts Health, CSU and CCGs. I’m so proud of what the team has achieved and the hard work continues.”
For more information on ordering PPE, visit our north east London PPE web pages or email the team at elhcp.ppe.emergencysupplyrequests@nhs.net.
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