Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the average quantity of personal protective equipment required on a daily basis by (1) the NHS, and (2) the social care sector, broken down by type of equipment; and if they have not made such an assessment, why not.

The Government published Coronavirus (COVID-19): personal protective equipment (PPE) plan on 10 April. It incorporates guidance on who needs PPE and when they need it, routes to ensure those who need it can get it at the right time and sets out actions to secure enough PPE to last through the crisis. A copy is attached.

We have built models which forecast demand. These models cover a range of possible scenarios and have developed over time as additional information on the prevalence and impact of COVID-19 became available and as guidance on PPE has been updated. We work closely with the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies to ensure they are underpinned by the latest science.

We are working around the clock to give the social care sector and wider National Health Service the equipment and support they need to tackle this outbreak.