The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published guidance on reimbursing primary care providers for the additional costs incurred in purchasing COVID-19 PPE. COVID-19 PPE is classed as the PPE that providers are required to use over and above business-as-usual (BAU) use, due to COVID-19 infection control guidance, rather than what would have been used pre-pandemic. Eligible primary care providers include General Practice, Dentistry and Community Pharmacy. Optometry costs have been covered through contracting arrangements.

Claims may be made for COVID-19 PPE purchased from 27 February to 31 December 2020 for use in delivery of NHS clinical services by 31 March 2021. There will be no further entitlement to reimbursement for PPE purchased after 31 December 2020 as this can be obtained free of charge from the DHSC portal.