The Welsh government has announced a new £800 million funding to help the Welsh NHS to fight current Covid-19 pandemic.
The latest cash injection announced on Wednesday (August 5) will support the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for both the health and social care sectors.
The procurement of PPE is expected to create an appropriate ‘buffer’ of supplies to respond to any second wave of infections.
It will also ensure that a reliable supply of PPE is available for primary care providers – including pharmacists, GPs, dentists, optometrists, and others.
Health and Social Services Minister Vaughan Gething added: “Our health and social care services have faced unparalleled pressures in the fight against Covid-19. It is a testament to our dedicated NHS staff that Wales’ patients have continued to receive compassionate and professional care during this pandemic.
“Whilst our services rigorously prepare every year for winter pressures, 2020 may be unlike any other. This £800m package will help with many aspects as we move into the next phase of the virus such as PPE supplies, testing and an ambitious flu vaccination programme.”
This new funding will also help deliver Wales’ largest ever flu campaign, announced last month, which will ensure more people than ever will benefit from the free flu vaccine programme in preparation for winter.
This latest package takes the total amount of Welsh government Covid-19 support for NHS organisations to over £1.3bn.
“The £800m fund will support NHS organisations across Wales to prepare for the anticipated challenges that winter will bring – responding to a potential second wave of the virus, alongside normal winter pressures – whilst continuing to further increase access to essential services,” the government has said.
“With the real possibility for further peaks during the autumn and winter months this investment will also ensure faster turnaround of test results to support contact tracing, so that Wales can respond rapidly to contain any spread of the virus”.
