COVID-19 – Allocation, distribution and replenishment of Personal Protective Equipment

About this report or communique

Report of the Auditor-General No. 13 of 2020-21: COVID-19 – Allocation, distribution and replenishment of Personal Protective Equipment

The objective of the review was to express a limited assurance conclusion on the effectiveness of the allocation, distribution and replenishment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by public sector agencies during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tasmania.

The review looked at plans that were already in place to manage PPE supplies in the event of a pandemic, and the modification of those plans in response to COVID-19. It examined the allocation, distribution and replenishment of PPE from 17 March 2020, the date the Director of Public Health declared a Public Health Emergency for Tasmania, to February 2021, the date our fieldwork concluded.

The review did not examine guidance or decisions on the use of PPE in clinical and non-clinical settings, nor did it specifically consider the quality of PPE.

The following Departments were included within the scope of this review:

PPE high-need Departments

  • Department of Health (DoH), including the Tasmanian Health Service (THS) and Ambulance Tasmania (AT)
  • Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management (DPFEM).

PPE low-need Departments

  • Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE)
  • Department of Communities Tasmania (Communities Tasmania)
  • Department of State Growth (State Growth).