Ministerial Statement: “The Covid-19 public health crisis has raised significant challenges in meeting the rapidly increasing needs of our health and social care services.”

“The response of the Government, our agencies and partners, and the Scottish business community has been crucial in overcoming these challenges.”

“While we will continue to source from global supply chains, our dependence on them – our exposure to global pressures and price volatility – for key product lines has greatly decreased.”

“My particular commitment, as Innovation Minister, is to support the NHS and Scottish business to harness the power of innovation to meet future health service needs and enhance economic recovery.”

“As the severity and spread of the pandemic became clear three things were quickly apparent: global demand for PPE and equipment had risen exponentially, sources of supply had dried-up and trade barriers had increased.”

“We have directed all our efforts and resources into finding new dependable sources of supply – both internationally and at home.”

“We didn’t rush into accepting unverified offers when faced with warnings that supplies would soon be gone or prices hiked; we’ve not dealt through layers of brokers or taken offers yielding small quantities; most importantly, we’ve not cut corners or let quality standards slip.”

“Instead, our choice was to assemble a multi-agency team to identify rapidly those offers of support which could supply us with high volumes of approved products in the fastest times.”

“The procurement & technical expertise of the NHS, the ScotGov, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International & the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland has been harnessed to buy products of the right standards, in the right quantities and in the right timescales.”

“This multi-agency team has worked tirelessly to support the NHS and I want to place on record my sincere thanks to them all. Their efforts are well reflected in the ongoing achievements of the programme.”

“A supply chain for hand sanitiser has been created from scratch.

Production at Calachem in Grangemouth, using spirit from Scottish distillers and Scottish bottling capacity, can satisfy all current health and social care needs.”

“A supply chain has been established to produce non-sterile gowns for the NHS.

Across a range of other product lines Scottish businesses are benefitting from a stream of NHS orders and improving our self-sufficiency.”

“And I can announce that we have successfully created a domestic manufacturing supply chain for masks utilising product from Don and Low and the manufacturing expertise of Alpha Solway.”

“Backed by a significant NHS order and support from Scottish Enterprise, Alpha Solway are about to commence manufacturing FFP3 face masks – the type worn in intensive care – with newly installed machinery.”

“The company has more machinery arriving next month to increase their production capacity still further.

Once fully up and running, this new plant will be capable of producing over 1 million masks per week – well above NHS Scotland’s demand so creating export potential.”

“Scotland’s production of PPE is not only building self-sufficiency but also creating jobs and opening export opportunities.”

“Beyond sanitiser and PPE, many businesses are repurposing their facilities to support NHS needs.”

“Of course, while we were building up our domestic supply chains, there was an urgent need to secure huge volumes of PPE from international sources to meet the demands of our front line services.”

“In recent weeks, and despite the international difficulties I mentioned earlier, we have brought in 7 charter flights delivering over 45 million face masks, 130,00 reusable gowns, 120,000 test kits and 1,300 infusion pumps, with more to follow.”

“Through our test supply chain group, and engagement with the Life Science Industry Leadership Group, work has started to examine the role Scotland can play in the manufacture of vaccines when these become available.”

“A huge amount has been achieved at unprecedented speed to source critical medical supplies and equipment.

I congratulate Scottish business and public services on their fantastic efforts, rising to the occasion and supporting the national effort.”

“I have painted a picture of the future: how we’re supporting innovation, building self-sufficiency, and putting Scotland at the forefront of supply chain resilience – now and in the future.”