Analysis by the spending watchdog found the Department of Health and Social Care racked up a £12.5billion bill for 32 billion items of PPE during the first wave of the pandemic. The "inadequate" stockpiles of protective equipment left NHS and care staff short on supplies, with a lag in vital kit getting to the frontline. NAO boss Gareth Davies said: "As PPE stockpiles were inadequate for the pandemic, Government needed to take urgent action to boost supplies. "Once it recognised the gravity of the situation ... the price of PPE increased dramatically, and that alone has cost the taxpayer around £10billion." “With almost 32 billion items of PPE ordered we are confident we can provide a continuous supply to our amazing frontline workers over the coming months and respond to future eventualities.”

Source: Daily Mirror November 25, 2020 00:01 UTC