Will coordinate sourcing of supplies for care workers and vulnerable residents

Picture: Javed Anees

May 19, 2020

Ealing Council will be leading in a new London-wide partnership to source personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect frontline care workers and vulnerable residents from coronavirus.

The initiative is expected to bring in 48 million items of PPE in the coming weeks, to avoid an over-reliance on the government’s support for each area in London.

The West London Alliance – a group made up of councils across Ealing, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Brent, Fulham and Hammersmith, Barnet and Harrow, has already been collectively obtaining PPE, and has distributed nearly 10 million items of PPE since the start of the pandemic.

The supply chain model announced by London Councils will now be rolled out across the 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation.

Haringey Council is leading the project, while Ealing Council is leading on the procurement of vital equipment. PPE for social care services is being set as a main priority.

Councillor Julian Bell, Ealing Council’s leader and West London Alliance spokesperson, said: “I’m proud that the great work of the West London Alliance and Ealing’s procurement team has been recognised and that we are now buying on behalf of the whole of London vital PPE for our fantastic frontline care workers

“I want to pay tribute to everybody who is working so hard to get this vital PPE out to people. So I thank you for what you are doing. And also thank you to those fantastic frontline care workers and NHS workers, and also to everyone else for staying at home, because by doing so you’re protecting the NHS and you’re saving lives.”

So far London boroughs have received 8.2 million PPE items from the government’s emergency supplies via London’s Strategic Coordination Group, which is also involved in the pan-London project. Boroughs have also received government PPE through the NHS.

Cllr Ray Puddifoot, London Councils’ health and care boss and Hillingdon Council’s leader, said: “Boroughs are acting quickly and decisively to boost PPE supplies and ensure equipment gets to those who need it most. London’s social care is on the frontline of the Covid-19 crisis and boroughs are working flat out to protect vulnerable Londoners and the heroic social care staff supporting them.”


Anahita Hossein-Pour - Local Democracy Reporter