Local businesses asked to help with PPE equipment for frontline workers

Facing unprecedented demand during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, frontline health and social care workers are in desperate need of PPE to help ensure the safety of themselves and patients.

Alongside Swindon Borough Council and the newly formed CCG, the joint request is being made by the local NHS, Bath & North East Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority.

Items requested from local PPE suppliers, as well as businesses with extra stock, include:

• Disposable plastic aprons
• All sizes of disposable examination gloves (latex or nitrile, if possible)
• Face masks (such as surgical masks or FFP3 respiratory masks)
• Eye protection (such as goggles)
• Face visors
• Alcohol-based hand sanitisers
• Liquid soap
• Medical style disinfectant wipes
• Paper towels

In addition, there is an urgent need for clear Perspex sheets that can be installed to create a protective barrier for non-clinical staff who regularly come in to contact with patients, such as those in working in GP practices and non-emergency transport teams.

Councillor Brian Ford, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “It is crucial that hard working and dedicated health and social care staff have the equipment and resources they need.

“As a short-term measure, we are asking local businesses for support in providing such equipment so that our colleagues can to continue to support our most vulnerable residents, as well as ensuring we can deliver critical services at this challenging time.”

Tracey Cox, Chief Executive, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "There is a national supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) coming through, and we are working hard to get it flowing into every setting within our local health and care system.

"However, we are facing unprecedented challenges so are joining forces with colleagues from across the region to call on any business that might be able to help us secure an additional supply of PPE for our teams working tirelessly to care for patients.”

Any businesses in Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset who are able to help in any way, are asked to send an email to bswccg.ppe.covid@nhs.net. This is a chance for the community to help those working tirelessly on the frontline and any contribution would be greatly appreciated during this challenging time.

If businesses are unsure of the suitability of equipment, they are still strongly encourage to get in touch.