PPE stockpile volumes in Wales (WHC/2025/023)
Letter to health staff to provide an update on target volumes for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) stockpiling in Wales.
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Details
Issue date:
13 June 2025.
Status:
Information.
Category:
Strengthen pandemic preparedness.
Title:
Personal Protective Equipment stockpile volumes in Wales.
Date of expiry / review:
Not applicable.
For information to:
- Chief executives, health boards/trusts.
- Nurse executive directors, health boards/trusts.
- Directors of public health, health boards/trusts.
- Executive Director of Public Health, Public Health Wales.
Sender:
Sioned Rees, Director of Public Health.
Health Social Care and Early Years Group Welsh Government contacts:
Health Protection Strategy and Response Division
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Email: HealthProtection@gov.wales
Personal protective equipment stockpile volumes in Wales
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to provide an update on the Welsh Government review of target volumes for PPE stockpiling in Wales.
After careful consideration of the options, and consideration of the recommendations in the 'UK review of emergency preparedness countermeasures' report, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care agreed in March 2025 that stockpiles of all PPE products should have at least 12 weeks of supply, based on weekly usage experienced by the health and social care sector during the winter of 2020 to 2021, when COVID-19 was at its peak across the UK.
Splash-proof aprons, face-shields/visors, type IIR Fluid Resistant Surgical Masks (FRSM), full body fluid repellent gowns and hand sanitizer / wipes will have a stockpile sufficient for 12 weeks supply. Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) that is FFP3 (Filtering Face Piece) respirators (non-valved) and medical examination-grade gloves, will have at least 16 weeks of supply to reflect a greater health protection and procurement risk that could arise during a future pandemic.
These new target volumes will strengthen our preparedness plans to ensure resilient PPE supplies for our respective health and social care sectors across Wales, should a pandemic occur in the future. This will be a medium-term approach (3 to 5 years) that will be kept under review, pending decisions on the UK Government’s longer-term PPE strategy and any recommendations from the COVID-19 Inquiry.
Operationalisation of new target PPE volumes
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP) have been directed by Welsh Government to source and manage the stock levels of PPE required. The PPE products purchased will comply with the latest standards from a technical and HSE perspective, supported by IPC guidance as approved by Public Health Wales. The management of the PPE stockpile by NWSSP will enable dynamic stock rotation; helping to reduce write-offs and ensuring that we continue to only procure products that are approved for use within NHS Wales. Welsh Government will work closely with NWSSP and Public Health Wales to monitor the implementation of this policy and any future changes to the range of PPE products required. NWSSP will continue to provide monthly reports to Welsh Government on the stockholding position on all PPE products.
This letter is aimed at health professionals who are responsible for ordering and managing PPE products in their respective health setting and does not change the current ordering process for business as normal products. If colleagues have any queries about PPE product specification, may I suggest they direct them to the PHW Healthcare Associated Infection, Antimicrobial Resistance and Prescribing Programme (HARP) team, email: HARP@wales.nhs.uk.
Yours sincerely,
Sioned Rees
Director of Public Health
Cyfarwyddwr Iechyd Y Cyhoedd