Coronavirus: Officials warn of equipment donation scams for frontline workers
NHS officials in Kent have warned donors of scams selling low quality Personal protective equipment (PPE).
Health chiefs are urging anyone hoping to donate to their local services – like hospitals, GP practices, care homes and workers, hospices, and paramedics – to use the Kent and Medway central distribution service.
The Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is now asking people to make sure they are donating to official verified NHS services.
Kent and Medway’s, NHS Covid-19 strategic commander, Wilf Williams said: “The PPE coordination team tracks the stocks that services across Kent and Medway have and makes sure that supplies are moved around to where they are needed most.
The CCG says anyone who wishes to support PPE funding and NHS staff on the frontline to donate directly to a hospital trust’s charitable department.
Most of the hospitals in the county have their own charity which supports their local community.
Our Accountable Officer & Strategic Commander for the Kent & Medway NHS #Covid19 response, Wilf Williams, was on @BBCRadioKent this morning. He talked about testing, PPE & thanked all our key workers. Listen from minute marker 2:07:45 https://t.co/yK0Judx2Q9 #ThankYouNHS pic.twitter.com/UVg7tykn8u
— NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (@NHSKMCCG) April 23, 2020
Health bosses are recommending that patrons visit their local health trust’s website for details of their official charity and where to donate.
The health service says while the generosity and support from their communities has been “fantastic” it needs to be sure all PPE equipment donated or delivered to the NHS is of clinical quality to provide the protection that frontline workers need.
Distribution teams now have experts in infection prevention check all donations before sending them to workers.
The central service gives precise information on the specifics of what is required to be sure donations will give essential workers the exact level of protection they need.
Feedback is also being made available on the quality of PPE being made for the health service by volunteers.
The CCG website says donating equipment directly to frontline teams who are busy caring for patients may mean feedback is not always available to improve quality.
These donations may also not be useable, the CCG has warned.
Find out more about PPE coordination and advice on donations, which can be collected here.
Contact the CCG directly if you wish to support health and care services with details of what you are donating and your preferred contact number by email at mccg.ppeordering.kentmedway@nhs.net.
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