A CLOSE network of Yorkshire companies has rallied round to source supplies of much needed personal protection equipment for North Yorkshire’s care workers.

NYCC senior officers spent much of last weekend on the phone to business associates across the region who could help in the crucial sourcing of PPE. In particular, they were in search of Type II R fluid-resistant surgical masks, so that carers can continue to carry out their critical work safely during the Covid-19 pandemic in looking after older and disabled people.

As a result of collective effort and calls late into the night, Skipton company Deliver Net, which procures medical and cleaning products for care companies, linked in with the county council to make a delivery this week of 11,000 of these urgently needed face masks.

Deliver Net is one of 7 distributors of PPE nationally chosen by the Department for Health and Social Care in a bid to quality assure products and to minimise profiteering.

Tim Lockett, Deliver Net’s chief executive said: “We want to help out as much as we can and we are very happy to be able to support the county council with a supply of face masks and develop a relationship. A lot of sub-standard products are out there in the market and we make it our responsibility to source the right equipment at the right price for this crucial sector.”

Mr Lockett said he had set up a dedicated team for loading and delivering PPE to meet demand during the current crisis. He said: “We are doing everything we can to maintain supply and meet demand responsibly though it’s very challenging right now.”

The County Council, which continues to press ahead with its own established channels for PPE supply, is buoyed by this quick response from regional business as calls from senior officers prompted a rapid chain of support.

For more information go to: www.northyorks.gov.uk/coronavirus