Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2022 to Question 116035 on Protective Clothing: Females and with reference to finding of Women in Global Health's report, Fit for Women? Safe and decent PPE for women health and care workers, that unisex personal protective equipment in many cases does not fit female wearers, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that buying teams source a range of different sizes; and whether he has plans to (a) set direct requirements on and (b) monitor purchasing teams.

Although we have no plans to set direct requirements on or monitor purchasing organisations, the level of demand will be used to ensure the variety of sizes available is in line with healthcare workers’ needs. It is the responsibility of individuals organisations to monitor the stock and procure a variety of sizes to meet the needs of the workforce.

To inform buying decisions an engagement programme was established, which includes customer engagement panels. Staff groups with different characteristics, including male and female wearers, were engaged in discussions on experiences of using personal protective equipment.