Emergency hospital beds made for the temporary critical care hospital NHS Louisa Jordan have been sent from Scotland to warn torn Ukraine.
A total of 400 beds have been sent to the crisis, with five artic lorry loads making the trip to the Polish border from Glasgow during March.
The beds were given to environmental charity, Second Opportunities, when they became surplus to the needs of the NHS, following the closure of the makeshift hospital created within the SEC Centre to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Second Opportunities had already distributed a number of beds to other recycling charities across Scotland since they were delivered to their warehouse in Glasgow a few months ago.
However, following the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the charity believed they were needed more in Ukraine and partnered with other organisations to deliver the aid to eastern Europe.
Brian Jenkins, manger of Second Opportunities, told the Record: "The beds were bought for the Louisa Jordan but they became surplus to the requirements of the NHS, so they reached out and we took them off their hands.
"When the conflict in Ukraine kicked off we realised the beds would get better use if they were sent there so we reached out to other partners to get them over there.
"Hope and Aid arranged for a haulage firm to transport the beds. Over the course of March, five HGVs have made their way to Poland where they'll be distributed over the border.
"We normally just work locally in Glasgow so this has been a bit further a field and it's taken quite a lot of co-ordination!"
The charities have worked with the Ukraine Medical Association in the UK who will make sure the hospital beds will get to where they are most needed.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “NHS Louisa Jordan was a crucial facility in the early stages of the pandemic, delivering urgent outpatient and diagnostic appointments for non-Covid-19 patients.
“We’re delighted that equipment, such as these field beds, are being deployed by the charitable sector to help support the people of Ukraine.
“The Scottish Government has so far committed £4 million in humanitarian aid as part of global humanitarian efforts. We have also committed to provide around £2.9 million worth of urgently needed medical equipment for Ukraine.
“We would like to thank the people of Scotland for the huge groundswell of solidarity and support they have shown for the people of Ukraine.”
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