Care providers in Jersey to stop getting free PPE from government

Care providers in Jersey will stop getting free PPE from the government next month, sparking calls to reverse the decision.

An email sent by Jersey's government and exclusively seen by ITV Channel reveals plans to withdraw free protective equipment to non-government services from 31 March 2022.

Services will not be able to request PPE and will lose access to the equipment portal.

The change comes as the government says the island is "learning to live with Covid-19 long-term".

Malcolm Ferey, CEO of Headway Jersey, said: “The provision of free PPE to care homes and those who work in a care setting has been an invaluable asset for those who, while not being regarded as frontline staff, are still very much at the sharp end when it comes to infection control.

“The decision by the government to remove this facility is premature and not founded on sound judgement. A better way would be to gradually restrict the amounts of free PPE that are available as demand will naturally tail-off as the pandemic eases.

 “I hope that this decision is reviewed and I’m grateful to ITV Channel TV for bringing this issue to our attention.”

What do you make of the decision? Email your views to channelnews@itv.com or call 01534 480523