Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether any steps are being taken to enable personal protective equipment to be reused by the NHS and care sector.

This is an international challenge that many countries are experiencing. We are working around the clock to give the National Health Service and social care sectors the personal protective equipment and support they need to tackle this outbreak.

Public Health England published ‘COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE)’ updated guide on 17 April. This advises that suitable decontamination arrangements for some PPE items should be obtained from the manufacturer, supplier or local infection control. This guidance also included advice on when PPE can be reused.