The latest report published as part of the COVID-19 inquiry has found the UK was not adequately prepared for a pandemic.

The report, which looked at the procurement and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), found the condition of the UK’s pre-pandemic PPE stockpiles were inadequate and had not been properly means-tested.

The report also found that in England, only around a third of the masks held in the emergency stockpile were immediately usable. The rest of the equipment could not be used as it had either degraded or did not meet COVID-19 specifications.

Wales and Scotland lacked sufficient, high-grade respiratory protection, while Northern Ireland’s limited stock heavily comprised of gloves.

As a result, the government was forced to buy large quantities of PPE within a very short period – but were ill-equipped to do this. Normal checks and procurement procedures came under intense pressure, unfamiliar suppliers entered the market and a controversial “high priority lane” was established, which gave some politically-referred companies favourable access to government contracts.

The rushed response contributed to almost £10 billion being wasted on PPE that was unsuitable, overpriced, surplus to requirements or bought at inflated emergency prices.

Another impact was on the NHS and social care workers, who faced uncertainty over whether suitable protection would be available when needed. Guidance changed as supplies came under pressure, increasing fear among frontline workers and placing both staff and patients at greater risk.

The UK’s lack of pandemic preparedness had been highlighted in a report published back........

© The Conversation