The Department of Health and Social Care will increase the amount of personal protective equipment health professionals are allowed to order through its portal by 25 per cent over Christmas.

NHS Business Services Authority said the increase was designed “to make allowance for any potential disruptions or increased need” over the festive period. The offer runs until at least January 4.

NHSBSA said the PPE portal will operate over Christmas and insisted orders should be delivered within five days but warned its delivery partners will not make deliveries on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

“Contractors that have not yet registered to use the PPE portal are strongly advised to do so,” the PSNC said.

“Guidance to support contractors to do this is available on our PPE web page via the Covid hub. The latest guidance for the PPE portal, including order limits for the different types and sizes of provider, is also available on the Gov.uk website.”