Covid-19 Update

Stuart Anderson Excerpts
Tuesday 5th May 2020

(4 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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We will have to go across to Stuart Anderson.

Stuart Anderson Portrait Stuart Anderson (Wolverhampton South West) (Con) [V]
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We all know the importance of PPE during the outbreak, how difficult it is to get and the great lengths to which the Secretary of State is going to procure it. On weekly calls with New Cross Hospital and the City of Wolverhampton Council, the same point is at the fore- front of our discussions: the consistency of the PPE deliveries. Will my right hon. Friend set out what plans are in place to ensure that what is promised arrives?

Matt Hancock Portrait Matt Hancock
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My hon. Friend is right to ask that important question. Getting the distribution of PPE to the frontline is critical. It has been a huge operation; the head of the Army has called it the largest logistical operation that this country has seen in 40 years. It is challenging because there is a global shortage of supply. We are working to get that supply as effective as possible. It is undoubtedly improving, but there is an awful lot of work still to do.

Having the national shortage call centre—the phone line that anybody can call if a shortage is coming up—is an important part of the response. So, too, are the automated online deliveries for the smaller settings. But we continue day and night to try to do everything we can to improve the flow of PPE to the frontline.