Published 02 June 2020.

DE&S plays crucial role in delivering vital medical equipment to the NHS front line in response to COVID-19 pandemic

The DE&S Defence Fulfilment Centre (MOD Donnington) has now received, processed and dispatched more than 10,000 items of critical medical equipment to the NHS front line.

The Logistics Delivery Operating Centre, working closely with the MOD Delivery Partner, Team Leidos reached the milestone in just three months on Tuesday, June 30 which includes the delivery of ventilators, oxygen concentrators and humidifiers to where they are needed the most.

The achievement has been made possible by a highly motivated Logistic Commodities and Services Transformation (LCST) team which have worked alongside the Department for Health and Social Care, NHS, Cabinet Office and PA Consultants.

Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said: “I am proud of our dedicated logistics and delivery professionals who have made a significant contribution to the COVID 19 pandemic response.

“They have delivered a huge quantity of medical supplies right across the UK, ensuring our frontline NHS staff have the equipment they need to provide life-saving medical care.”

LCST’s professionalism and enthusiasm maintained the flow of critical equipment since the start of this national endeavour to support the UK Government’s response to COVID-19.

In total they have delivered 2,092 Bi Lateral Ventilators, 2,757 oxygen concentrators, 1,369 Mechanical Ventilators, 3,109 Syringe Drivers and 690 Volumetric Pumps across all of the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey covering an estimated 57,000 miles in the process.

Roger West, Director Logistics Delivery at DE&S, said: “This continues to be an extraordinary effort by a team that has had to provide critical equipment to the NHS while also supporting Front Line Commands and defence operations taking place around the globe.

“This committed team is incredibly professional and realise that they play a key role in not just supporting the MOD but also the entire country in a time of need.”

Sir Simon Bollom, DE&S CEO, added: “This has been a fantastic effort by DE&S and our logistics partners and has helped provide critical front-line support to our NHS as well as supporting the UK Government during this national emergency.

“We take great pride in the assistance that our people have been able to provide to support the NHS and wider social care need in the response to Covid-19.”

Since the pandemic began more than 300 DE&S staff have directly supported the procurement and logistics activities in support of the national COVID Response.

Last week DE&S announced that the DE&S-led New Buy PPE Team had negotiated contracts for more than 11 billion items of PPE worth almost £6 billion.

As of 26^th June, the team has approached the Department of Health and Social Care with orders for over 11 billion items of PPE worth £5.9 billion. Of these orders, 10 billion items of PPE have been approved, including 4.9 billion gloves, 156 million gowns, 3.5 billion face masks, 565 million safety glasses and 848 million aprons with suppliers all over the world, predominantly in the Far East.