A new portal has been launched using the combined efforts of eBay, the Army and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). The eBay NHS Portal will supply PPE to around 50,000 non-acute health providers via free access to PPE at the point of order from NHS Supply Chain. 42,000 pieces of PPE have been delivered in the pilot phase, explains tamebay. The PPE items are being supplied by NHS Supply Chain via the Clipper Group and despatched via Royal Mail. eBay’s is building the platform free of charge to the NHS.
This may be the reason – according to some voices on Twitter – that eBay was chosen, as there are numerous, proven, marketplace platforms in the public sector already being used by health professionals. But eBay has come through, and we understand with input from government procurement – we hope it fares well. Read more here and here.