Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that NHS medical staff are being given out of date equipment and that the new protective equipment advice inadequately protects staff.

NHS Supply Chain and Public Health England have worked with manufacturers and/or independent testing houses to formally test certain products, to see if it is possible to extend their life via accelerated age testing. The products that pass these stringent tests are subject to relabelling with a new shelf-life (as appropriate) and can continue to be used, all that are not up to standard will be destroyed.