Face mask appeal from NHS

The NHS has asked SELECT Members and the wider industry for help in tracking down stocks of FFP3 face masks to help it combat the current coronavirus pandemic.

NHS Procurement are looking to establish whether anyone has stocks of the masks and if they would be prepared to set them aside for the NHS. They are also looking to establish sources for the masks, such as builders merchants, wholesalers and plant companies.

The NHS is only looking for EN149:2001 filtering half masks, i.e. ones that protect against particles and with a face piece that consists entirely or substantially of filter material, or has a main filter(s) that forms an inseparable part of the device.

Respirators that meet the requirements of EN149:2001 are designed to protect against solids, water-based aerosols and oil-based aerosols. There are three classes of protection – FFP1, FFP2 & FFP3 – with the filtering face pieces classified according to filter efficiency.

If any Member knows how to get these type of equipment, or know of available stocks, then please set them aside and contact [email protected] or [email protected]. Someone from the NHS will then get in touch to collect them.