The ongoing High Court trial involving PPE Medpro and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is examining the government's handling of a surplus of £122 million worth of surgical gowns. Expert witnesses offered conflicting opinions on whether the excess stock, amounting to nearly 10 years of supply, could have been repurposed or sold. Andrew New of SCCL indicated that logistical challenges made such efforts impractical, while Igor Popovic argued that the gowns could have been marketed. The trial underscores significant accountability issues in government decision-making during the pandemic.
Andrew New, chief executive of SCCL, confirmed that the UK government held an excess of approximately 500 weeks'-worth of surgical gowns, equating to nearly 10 years of supply. Despite this surplus, no efforts were made to repurpose or sell the PPE Medpro gowns, reflecting a lack of effective management and action during the pandemic.
Economist Igor Popovic criticized the DHSC's approach, arguing that the gowns could have been sold, presenting an alternate view that places accountability on the government for not leveraging surplus stock effectively.
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