Rutland County Council working together with local health and social care providers as part of a collective effort to manage, source and distribute stocks of protective equipment, so that frontline workers can continue to deliver services safely during the pandemic.

The council has also thanked businesses, communities and partners across the health and social sector who have helped to coordinate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) in response to COVID-19.

It's work includes maintaining contact with local health and social care providers to understand their PPE requirements and providing access to additional supplies of protective equipment, if needed.

The council is also helping to manage the demand for extra PPE brought about by COVID-19 – for example, the use of medical scrubs by primary care and residential care staff who would not normally require them.

This has been helped by kind offers of donations of PPE from generous local business and other sources.

Rutland County Council is able to accept PPE donations on behalf of the wider health and social care system in Rutland, provided the items meet certain criteria:

· Pre-purchased items need to be boxed, unopened and of the right standard and quantity

· Any newly fabricated items have to meet the required protection standards

Medical scrubs need to be prepared in line with NHS specifications

PPE, which includes masks, eye protection and gloves, helps to protect frontline workers, as well as limiting the spread of COVID-19.

Councillor Alan Walters, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health,, said: "We've worked closely with local partners, communities and care providers to make sure Rutland has a good supply of PPE. This means that our health and social care staff, and those in other local care settings, will continue to have access to the necessary equipment to keep them safe.

"We want to wholeheartedly thank people for their generosity and support during this very difficult time – particularly where we have received the offer of additional items of PPE. Because PPE has to comply with certain standards and specifications there are some limits on the kind of items we can accept. This is important to protect the health and safety of our workers, who are doing an incredible job, as well as the people they are looking after.

"If you think you can provide the right kind of PPE to help frontline staff then please get in touch by phone or email. You can also continue to do your bit to help by staying at home, protecting the NHS and saving lives."

Rutland County Council is acting as a central hub for the County's PPE needs, as well as supporting the wider health and social care system across Leicester and Leicestershire by sharing and exchanging PPE to help meet demand within the region.

Anyone who thinks they can provide the type of PPE needed by frontline health and social care staff can contact Rutland County Council by emailing: [email protected] or calling: 01572 758 376.