NHS bosses in Kent have warned well-meaning donors of scams selling low quality personal protection equipment (PPE).

The Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is now urging people to make sure they are donating to official NHS services.

Health chiefs are asking anyone hoping to support their local services – like hospitals, care homes, care workers, hospices, GP surgeries and paramedics – to start using the Kent and Medway central distribution service.

Wilf Williams, Kent and Medway NHS Covid-19 strategic commander, said: "The PPE coordination team tracks the stocks that services across Kent and Medway have and makes sure that supplies are moved around to where they are needed most.

"Sending donations to the distribution centre will make the most of your contribution."

It is not believed there have been any confirmed scams reported in Kent but the NHS says it is aware of several low quality and non-clinical grade equipment being sold online.

Mr Williams discouraged the public from buying PPE directly from sources online to donate to health services or giving cash donations to others.

He said: "We also want to highlight the potential for well-meaning donations of PPE directly sourced online to fall foul of poor quality kit and outright scams.

"The unprecedented global demand for PPE unfortunately means there are a lot of bogus online offers.

"The thought is appreciated, but there is a high risk it will not result in useable clinical quality PPE."

The CCG says anyone who wishes to support PPE funding and NHS staff on the frontline to donate directly to a hospital trust's charitable arm – most of the hospitals in the county have their own charity which supports their local community.

People are advised to visit their local health trust's website for details of their official charity.

The health service says while the generosity and support from residents has been "fantastic" it needs to ensure all PPE donated or delivered to the NHS is of clinical quality to provide the right level of protection for frontline workers.

Distribution teams working in the county have infection prevention experts to check all donations.

The central service is able to provide precise advice on the details of what is required to ensure donations will give workers the exact level of protection they need.

Feedback is also available on the quality of items being made for the health service by volunteers.

The CCG website says sending equipment directly to frontline teams busy caring for patients may mean feedback is not available to improve quality.

These donations may also have to be discarded, the CCG has warned.

Find out more about PPE coordination and advice on donations, which can be collected, at www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/your-health/coronavirus/ppe

Contact the CCG directly about supporting health and care services with details of your donation and a contact number by email at mccg.ppeordering.kentmedway@nhs.net

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