THE COVENTRY councillor responsible for adult social care has hit out at the government over supplies of PPE.
Coun Mal Mutton, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said Coventry’s ratepayers have been hit with a £2 million bill for protective equipment during the pandemic.
On the weekend there was a national recall of ‘Tiger Eye protectors’ a particular type of protective eye-goggles after they were found to not meet the right clinical standards.
Coun Mutton said: “There have been well-publicised national issues regarding PPE and the inability of the Government to provide the right equipment for care workers.
“As a council we have spent almost £2 million of our own money to ensure there is adequate PPE for care and support staff working with our most vulnerable people in care homes and their own homes. This wouldn’t have been necessary had the Government supply worked and some of our services would probably have had to stop without spending this additional money.
“We have received some stocks from the Government, but this has only been a small proportion of what is required. “Then unbelievably last weekend we received a recall notice on one of the items of PPE provided as it didn’t meet quality standards.
“We have of course taken steps to notify providers and provided replacement stocks from those we have purchased with Council money. Supplying PPE that is not fit for purpose to our critical frontline workers is yet another example of the Government mishandling of this crisis leaving us locally to pick up the pieces yet again.
“I want to reiterate my heartfelt thanks to all care and support staff who continue to go above and beyond the call of duty to look after some of the most vulnerable people during this crisis.”
