First Minister encourages Welsh businesses to join effort to make protective equipment for NHS staff

The First Minister of Wales has urged businesses to join the effort to make personal protective equipment (PPE) to shield front-line NHS workers from the coronavirus.

Labour’s Mark Drakeford said more than 5 million pieces of PPE have been provided from pandemic stocks in recent weeks, which is over and above the normal supplies available to the health service.

Deliveries have also been made to GP surgeries, pharmacies and through local government to care homes.

However, the leader of the Welsh Government said he understood worries about the availability of equipment.

It has led to a review being undertaken and new guidance issued across the UK which sets out where PPE should be used – a move which Mr Drakeford said was likely to increase the demand.

“I want to begin by expressing my real thanks to those many businesses and manufacturers in Wales, who have made us offers of help,” he said.

“With the production of PPE and other equipment, we’re responding as quickly as we can to the offers we already have and we need more.

“Today I’m calling on companies here in Wales to help our NHS to produce PPE products for the front line.

“Let’s restart the factory lines to help protect our frontline health and social care staff. There are already some great examples around Wales.

“The Royal Mint is making face visors which are being used in hospital and we have many other offers which we are urgently working through, but where there is more capacity to help were asking you to get in touch.”

Some concerns have been raised over the lack of PPE available for NHS staff in North Wales over the last week.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said there was “suitable and sufficient PPE” for its staff and said it had received a significant delivery to bolster stock for the foreseeable future.