London boroughs collaborate to secure PPE

Haringey Council has led a pan-London partnership to secure emergency supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus pandemic – to support care homes and other crucial local services on the Covid-19 frontline.

The partnership – in line with a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) led by Haringey Council – acknowledges that the demand for PPE has never been greater, with a clear need for those on the frontline of social care to be provided with the critical PPE to do their job safely during the outbreak - protecting not only themselves, but our most vulnerable people.

To date, Haringey Council has been receiving stocks of PPE from the NHS, London councils’ supply chain, as well as additional supplies through local procurement. However, it is essential that the council seeks additional procurement methods to ensure there are enough supplies of PPE in the borough.

The pan-London approach offers local authorities an additional route to secure the vital PPE needed. This stock is intended to act as a contingency measure to support business as usual supply chains.

The collaboration builds on a supply chain established by the West London Alliance West London Alliance (WLA)which has previously been successful in utilising this model on a sub-regional basis.

The initiative is expected to result in approximately 48 million PPE items becoming available for all London local authorities to distribute in the coming weeks.

The work will strengthen boroughs’ access to PPE and avoids over-reliance on delivery from the government’s emergency stocks while supply chains recover to meet demand. The procurement route would also remain open to boroughs for future orders should there be an ongoing shortfall and emergency need.

Zina Etheridge, Chief Executive at Haringey Council, has led the London Strategic Co-ordination Group (SCG) response to the pandemic on PPE ensuring that there is a sustainable and cost-effective procurement and supply mechanism for PPE across London local authorities.

With the pan-London expansion co-ordinated by a team led by Haringey Council, Ealing Council will act as the lead supply borough, with the priority being to get PPE to social care services.

Cllr Joseph Ejiofor, Leader of Haringey Council said: “Local authorities across London have, quite rightly, led this initiative to secure critical PPE for use across our boroughs – a testament to each council’s commitment and dedication to protect those working on the front line and our most vulnerable people.

"Joining together during this time for our pan-London approach helps us to strengthen our resilience against the pandemic. Whilst we cannot predict when this will end, we can now rest assured that, should we need it, there are emergency supplies of PPE available to those in London who need it."

Zina Etheridge, Chief Executive at Haringey Council, said: “Safeguarding our care workers and protecting our most vulnerable people is essential, and I’m proud of the way that London has stepped up to this challenge to do that during this uncertain time

“With all London council’s working together, we have streamlined our efforts, secured a provision of life-saving PPE and saved money in the process. We have all worked together to ensure that we can protect our health workers and the people that rely on them for care and support.”

Cllr Ray Puddifoot, London Councils’ Executive Member for Health & Care, said: “Boroughs are acting quickly and decisively to boost PPE supplies and ensure equipment gets to those who need it most. 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.”

Cllr Julian Bell, Leader of Ealing Council and spokesperson for the West London Alliance, said: “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."

Eleanor Kelly, Deputy Chair of London’s Strategic Coordination Group, said: "By working together to deliver vital PPE equipment we are protecting carers, vulnerable people, and saving lives.

“London’s local authorities are playing a leading role in the fightback against Covid-19. This crucial programme shows the capital’s effectiveness as we combine to look after the most at-risk in our communities.”