WATCH: Large shipments of PPE delivered to the island

Wednesday 22 April 2020

New supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have arrived in the island to help replenish stocks - and more shipments are on their way, according to the Chief Minister.

The Jersey Field Squadron has been called in to assist with the logistics for the PPE distribution.

In a video update released last night, the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, said the Government had to store the different items across three separate locations in order to accommodate the amount of stock it now holds.

Video: A number of PPE shipments have recently been delivered.

Saying that the provision of PPE remains “an absolute priority of Ministers and the Government as a whole,” he said:

“The island received a large number of PPE consignments over the weekend which has replenished and significantly enhanced the current PPE stock. Additional shipments have arrived and are schedule to arrive throughout this week.”

In total, the Government has ordered over a million items of medical protective equipment. During a virtual sitting of the States Assembly yesterday, the Health Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf, said that where the Health Department usually spends around £200,000 on PPE, recent orders represented several millions.

Chief Executive, Charlie Parker, announced last week that the Government would be coordinating all PPE requests, deliveries, stock and distribution through a newly launched PPE Coordination Cell.

It includes an online portal, available seven days a week to all 150 organisations requiring PPE, including private care providers, which had previously complained of shortages.

Video: Over 150 organisations can order PPE through the Government portal.

Mr Parker also said PPE request is also assessed by a panel of clinicians to make sure the right equipment is given to provide the level of protection needed.

The Chief Minister said yesterday over 200 orders had so far been received and processed.

“The newly established portal is running well and is receiving daily orders from a wider range of organisations including the private health sector, emergency services and Health and Community Services.”