GP PPE order limits raised by 25% over Christmas

GP practice rations of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Government’s central portal have risen by 25% over the Christmas period.

NHS England told GPs in a recent bulletin that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has raised the limits to mitigate ‘potential disruptions or increased need’.

The email bulletin said: ‘To make allowance for any potential disruptions or increased need, DHSC has increased order limits by 25% for all providers, as of Tuesday 8 December and until at least 4 January.’

It added that while the Government portal will be operational over Christmas, Royal Mail will not deliver on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

‘Orders made during this time should still be delivered within five days’, it said.

It comes as GPs were yesterday told they will be given a deadline of 5 February to submit claims to receive long-awaited reimbursement for Covid-19 PPE.

The period in which practices can submit their claims ‘will open as soon as possible, the DHSC guidance added.

Practices can claim for ‘PPE purchased where such items could not be supplied centrally’, the DHSC said, however PPE bought after 31 December is not covered because central supplies have now been ‘fully extended’.