Call to arms to South Yorkshire businesses to make vital PPE equipment

Dan Jarvis, Sheffield City Region mayor, is asking regional industries to offer their help in making personal protective equipment, such as gowns, visors, masks, gloves and hand sanitiser.

The mayor said ‘significant progress’ has been made nationally by central government and industry to produce PPE and the call locally is to ensure any business with expertise can help play their part.

It is understood many health trusts are concerned around PPE levels moving forward.

The equipment will protect patients, doctors, nurses and all health and care staff against the coronavirus.

The mayor and South Yorkshire NHS Integrated Care System are calling for companies who can support with production of the following equipment to step forward:

Companies and education establishments with 3D printers, and manufacturers of plastic, to help with the production of visors, gloves, face masks and aprons;

Breweries or gin distilleries who can use their kit and alcohol supplies to make hand sanitiser, as well as new 500ml pump dispenser bottles, to decant hand sanitiser into and for infection control purposes;

Textiles companies who can make scrubs and gowns;

Manufacturers with machinery and equipment can still play a significant role in the production of ventilators;

Businesses who are able to help with the production of equipment outlined above are asked to read the government specifications and standards.

If they can make equipment to the meet the criteria, then they are asked to please email [email protected] with the following details:

Confirmation of what equipment they can produce;

Full contact details;

Readiness and timescales to make the equipment.

Mr Jarvis said: “The NHS, all care and emergency services are working tirelessly to make the best preparations and I am incredibly grateful for the herculean efforts they have made to ensure people receive the best care possible, should they need it.

“We must all do our duty, as residents, businesses and communities, to support our dedicated NHS, care and emergency services workers on the frontline.”