Dear Constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about protective equipment for doctors and nurses.

NHS staff, care workers, and other medical professionals are on the frontline in the fight against coronavirus, and I am in awe of their dedication, skill and professionalism. Let me assure you that ministers are doing everything they can to ensure the NHS has the equipment and resources it needs to get our country through this crisis.

A military-sized operation is underway to ensure the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) over the coming weeks and months. The Government has already shipped millions of items of PPE and, from this week, the Army will play its part by offering service personnel to help manage and offload supplies in busy NHS settings.

A new NHS-run PPE hotline has also been set up, which allows healthcare organisations to place orders 24 hours a day.

The Government is not underestimating the size of this challenge, but the Prime Minister has said he will do everything in his power to keep healthcare workers safe as they care for the rest of society. We know there is more to do in this area, and the full weight of the Government is working to deliver that as quickly as possible.

Yours,

EDWARD LEIGH MP