Shake-up among PPE leaders

The government has faced weeks of criticism over continued shortages of PPE at hospitals and among community providers like GPs and care homes. Questions have also been raised over the quality of some PPE, with certain centrally-procured masks and a large batch of goggles pulled from hospitals in the last two weeks.

Jonathan Marron, director general for prevention, communities and care, joins NHS England/Improvement’s Emily Lawson, who has been SRO for PPE for some weeks. It is not clear exactly when Mr Marron took up the role, but HSJ has approached the DHSC for further details.

Ms Lawson was made chief commercial officer for NHSE/I earlier this year, after acting in the role for some months prior. She was NHSE’s national director for transformation and corporate operations for two years before taking on the commercial role. 

Mr Marron was previously director for primary, community, mental health and seven-day services at the DHSC. He has also held roles including director of strategy at Public Health England, policy director at Monitor (now NHS Improvement) and director of strategy and planning at South West Essex primary care trust.

Mr Marron and Ms Lawson recently told trusts to stop bulk-buying their own PPE.

The government’s “make” PPE strategy has also seen a recent change of leadership with the appointment of Paul Deighton.

Lord Deighton, best known for leading the London 2012 Olympic games organising committee, is currently leading the government’s efforts to increase domestic PPE production in response to a fiercely competitive international market. 

Prior to his appointment, Deloitte was leading the “make” strategy with the DHSC. HSJ understands the management consultancy firm will now support Deighton’s effort. The firm has also been involved in the government’s PPE procurement efforts in China.