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Procurement Services - Supply Chain, Logistics & Transport Teams: Supporting the Covid-19 Vaccine Programme in Wales

NWSSP Procurement Services - Supply Chain, Logistics & Transport Teams have been at the forefront of supporting NHS Wales over the past twelve months ensuring successful distribution of the Covid-19 vaccinations across the country.

It was announced in November 2020 that three viable Covid-19 vaccine options would be available to the public. Consequently, the NWSSP Supply Chain, Logistics & Transport Teams began the process of planning and preparing to distribute the vaccine and the associated consumables, across Wales. Subsequently in December 2020, Wales was one of the first countries in the world to start protecting people against coronavirus.

Covering over 8,000 square miles, vaccines have been distributed to over 300 locations every week in Wales. This includes maintaining the 'end to end' cold chain, picking, packing and delivering any associated consumables as pre-planned journeys and under 'adhoc' circumstances.

This has also seen, in partnership, with Welsh Government, Health Boards and Pharmacy Leads, the development of robust electronic vaccine and consumable ordering and data management systems.

In addition to ensuring the delivery of 'business as usual' provisions remain unaffected by the pandemic, there has been a number of additional patient focused services introduced including the distribution of PPE and Lateral Flow Tests, Covid-19 specimen collections, the distribution of Critical Medicines, and the supporting the End-of-Life Palliative Care Pathway.

Tony Chatfield, Head of Supply Chain, Logistics & Transport;

“The demands placed on our service by the COVID-19 outbreak have been significant and our teams ditched the extra mile and continue to run marathons.

The data alone identifies the logistical challenges and achievements we have experienced so far.       Our participation has undoubtedly enabled the vaccination programme to help protect the Welsh population against coronavirus. I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation for all your ongoing efforts.”

Gildas Griffiths, Deputy Head of Clinical Logistics & Transport, Health Courier Services;

“Often unnoticed, the success of the vaccination programme in Wales would simply not be possible without the efforts, commitments and dedication of our staff. The feedback received from our service users, because of their efforts, continues to be exemplary and testimony in demonstrating our abilities and achievements.”

Key Statistics

VACCINE DELIVERIES ACROSS WALES VIA THE HCS

  • AVERAGE DELIVERIES A DAY: 20
  • VACCINE JOURNEYS TO DATE: 7000+
  • MILES COVERED TO DATE: 2.2m
  • VACCINE DELIVERY LOCATIONS A WEEK: 300+

 

 

SUPPLY CHAIN & WAREHOUSING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Vaccine NEEDLES ISSUED: 5.5m
  • SHARPS BINS ISSUED: 40,000
  • MEDI SWABS ISSUED: 10m
  • VACCINE TRAYS ISSUED: 28,000
  • EXTRA PALLET SPACE: 9,000+
  • JOURNEYS ON TIME: 100%

 

CONSUMABLE PODS PICKED, PACKED & DELIVERED: 51,000+

DISTRIBUTED CIRCA: 1.2 BILLION ITEMS of PPE & GOODS

TOTAL NUMBER OF PPE JOURNEYS INTO PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS: 35,000+