Colleges and universities in Nottinghamshire have thrown their support behind the local NHS response to coronavirus by pledging gifts of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The much-needed supplies will boost the NHS’ own provision of PPE during this unprecedented health crisis.
The donations, which include a wide range of items such as protective gloves, aprons and masks, are being distributed to all parts of the NHS – from hospitals to GP practices.
Amanda Sullivan, Accountable Officer for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the organisation responsible for the healthcare of just over one million people, said:
“I wanted to extend my warm thanks to all organisations across the education sector, which have so kindly donated their spare supplies of PPE to help in the efforts of responding to covid-19.
“The supplies are allowing us to provide help in urgent situations across the system where individual organisations may be faced with shortages of supplies and this includes our GP practices, community providers or carers who are providing care in people’s homes. These donations have and will continue to help us to provide for the safety of staff and also to help in efforts to stop the spread of the virus.
“There is no doubt that the importance of us working together across agencies and sectors is instrumental in order to continue to support our local communities in what is an unprecedented and very challenging time.”
A number of educational establishments have helped the CCG with additional PPE supplies for GP practices and community services. And the wider NHS has benefited from further donations from the local education sector.
Professor Nigel Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Research and Innovation, Nottingham Trent University, said: “We are proud to be able to support the NHS in this way and have been amazed by the desire of our staff and students to help. Universities are playing a crucial role in helping the nation through this crisis and we at NTU will continue to support those that need us.”
The CCG is currently working with partners to distribute the equipment where it’s most needed. A spokesperson for the CCG added that they would also be delighted to hear if any organisation has any fluid resistant coveralls that they could make available to the local NHS to help in the response to tackling the virus. Local organisations that can supply the coveralls should contact ncccg.team.communications@nhs.net.
