Limits on personal protective equipment orders (PPE) have been increased over Christmas.
The PPE portal – set up by the Department of Heath and Social Care (DHSC) in the face of the pandemic – will continue to operate over the festive period.
Orders during this time will still be delivered within five days. But in preparation of any potential disruptions, the government increased order limits by 25%.
This is in force from 8 December until at least 4 January 2021.
The DHSC’s delivery partners, Royal Mail and their Pallet Carrier, will not be delivering PPE on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Crucial funding secured
This comes as reports confirm dental practices in Wales will receive a six-figure package to help tackle patient access troubles.
The £450,000 funding has been secured to improve the ventilation in dental practices.
The move was welcomed by the British Dental Association (BDA), which had called on all UK governments for support.
The package, secured by health minister Vaughan Gething, will assist investment in the new systems.
This comes after many practices said they could not fund it independently. Nearly 80% of practices in Wales are running at less than half of their pre-pandemic capacity.
Real leadership
As a result, it is hoped ventilation systems will assist dental teams and reduce their fallow time, therefore improving patient access.
Dr Katrina Clarke, chair of the BDA’s Welsh Council, said: ‘The health minister has shown real leadership in getting dentistry back up and running.
‘The rules dentists are obliged to work under have left millions across the UK unable to secure an appointment. This pledge of capital funding will therefore translate into better access for families across Wales.’
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