Personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers

To assist our members in sourcing the personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended by Public Health England for use in practice during the coronavirus pandemic, we have set out below where PPE can be obtained in each of the four nations.

Please remember, though, that stocks tend to fluctuate and with recent heavy demand, we cannot guarantee that supplies will always be available.

England

To ensure that all practices can access affordable PPE, LOCSU and Primary Eyecare Services (PES) have set up an online shop offering the PPE recommended by Public Health England, including masks, aprons, face visors and gloves. All items are sourced at the lowest available price and the shop will operate on a not-for-profit basis. 

The online shop is available to all practices in England, regardless of PES affiliation, with a free delivery option.

Visit the online shop.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the Health and Social Care Board has funded the supply of over 200,000 pieces of PPE for Optometry Northern Ireland. Practices have been notified to collect their allocation from one of 14 collection points around the country.

Find out more

Scotland

In Scotland, face-to-face care is currently only taking place at Emergency Eyecare Treatment Centres (EETCs).

The Scottish Government has worked with NHS National Services Scotland to establish a central process for EETCs to be provided with PPE and relevant cleaning/decontamination products, and for the collection and disposal of waste from EETCs. 

Find out more

Wales

In Wales, the Welsh Government is providing PPE to hospital and primary care staff, including to all pharmacies, emergency dental clinics, optometrists and GP surgeries. 

Find out more

Wholesale suppliers of PPE

If your usual supplier of PPE is unable to provide you with the items you need to practise safely, the wholesale suppliers in the attached list may be able to help.