Unpaid carers will have access to free PPE through national scheme

Unpaid carers will now benefit from free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) through a new national scheme, the UK government has announced

Free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is now being made available to unpaid carers until at the least the end of June 2021.

Local authorities and local resilience forums (LRFs) are being urged to take part in the new national scheme to help unpaid carers in their areas to access free PPE. Almost two-thirds have already signed up to offer their support.

Minister for Care Helen Whately said:

“Unpaid carers are the unsung heroes of this pandemic. All too often their kindness and devotion go unseen and unacknowledged by society.

“I know the enormous strain this pandemic has placed on those caring for family and those they love. I’m determined to do everything possible to support them.

“Working with local authorities and voluntary organisations, we have already improved access for carers to testing and supported day services to stay open safely during this second wave. I’m pleased we can now roll out free PPE for those unpaid carers who are advised to use it.”

Professor Deborah Sturdy OBE, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, said:

“It is important everything is done to protect those who are vulnerable and the people who care for them.

“Unpaid carers provide a fundamental pillar supporting our social care system and have the gratitude of a nation for their work before, during and after this pandemic.

“The scientific advice is to wear PPE while caring and we are ensuring extra-resident unpaid carers can now access this for free.”

Priority testing and vaccines

Unpaid carers also have access to priority testing when they show signs of COVID-19 symptoms and number of them have been prioritised for the vaccine.