First Minister "extremely concerned" over PPE reports

The Scottish Government says it is looking into claims some English firms are prioritising sending personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers south of the border.

It was claimed yesterday that a number of firms would not be supplying workers in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland – though Scotland’s national clinical director then played down those reports this morning.

At her lunchtime briefing today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed she would be looking into the claims – and that Health Secretary Jeane Freeman had contacted UK counterpart Matt Hancock to raise the issue.

Ms Sturgeon said that if the reports were true, it would increase pressure on the national stockpile of PPE used to supply NHS frontline staff – as Holyrood would have to step in and supply care homes that currently order their own materials.

But the UK Government has since insisted it has not instructed any firms to prioritise England over the other nations.

Ms Sturgeon told journalists: “We are extremely concerned about these reports and we are taking steps to investigate them further.”

She added: “Any situation where supplies were being diverted from one part of the UK to another without consultation or co-operation would be unconscionable and unacceptable.”

Ms Freeman said she had written to Mr Hancock, adding: “He specifically does not have my agreement to the centralisation of ordering or distribution of PPE or to the diversion of orders placed in Scotland for destination to Scottish social care or the health service."

She has since confirmed that Mr Hancock will be speaking to her about the matter:

Pleased @MattHancock changedhis plans to join a constructive discussion of 4 Health Ministers & grateful 4 assurance that neither NHS England nor PHE asked suppliers to divert PPE orders from Scotland. We go forward constructively as before & continue to check on these supplies.

— Jeane Freeman (@Jeane_F1) April 14, 2020

The prime minister’s official spokesperson said this afternoon: “Our PPE strategy is UK-wide, making sure frontline workers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have the PPE they need to stay protected while taking care of patients.

“Through this four-nation approach we are working closely with the devolved administrations to co-ordinate the distribution of PPE evenly across the UK.

“We have not instructed any company to prioritise one nation over the others.”