The following is an announcement on behalf of DHSC:
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) encourages and urges all pharmacies with an NHS contract to register on HM Government’s PPE portal to order COVID-19 PPE, free of charge. Infection rates are rising in the UK and winter is approaching. To ensure your pharmacy has a robust and resilient route for getting PPE so you can carry out your work safely, the DHSC has increased order limits on the portal. Eligible providers can order PPE through the portal to meet the increased need that has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (the portal was previously an emergency top-up system). The DHSC has partnered with the NHS and the e-commerce industry to develop this service in order to ensure that those on the frontline have what they need. The overriding priority is to protect people and our wider communities, thereby reducing infections and saving lives. We must make sure everyone has the PPE they need so please do play your part in this collective effort.
You can register and access the PPE Portal using your long email address (in format nhspharmacy.location.pharmacynameODScode@nhs.net).
During the week commencing 5 October, the DHSC re-invited pharmacies that were yet to register. Emails came from PPE Dedicated Supply Channel (please note this email address does not accept incoming emails): ppe.dedicated.supply.channel@notifications.service.gov.uk
Currently, Pharmacies can order Type IIR masks, Aprons, Gloves and Hand Hygiene to meet their COVID-19 PPE requirements, all free of charge, through the PPE Portal. The latest guidance on the PPE Portal, including order limits for Pharmacies, can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Guidance on order limits for Pharmacies can be found on the GOV.UK website.
The DHSC will keep order limits under review to make sure these reflect the latest public health guidance, COVID-19 demand modelling and customer feedback.
Call the customer service team on 0800 876 6802 if you have any questions about using the PPE portal (including, for example, about registration, ordering and if you think you should have been invited but have not been). The team is available from 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week, to help resolve your queries.