With people across the country turning their hand to creating homemade PPE equipment amid the coronavirus outbreak, a volunteer group is asking for urgent donations.
MedSupplyDriveUK Scotland - a group made up of volunteer NHS doctors, medical students and allies - are campaigning to see the donations delivered to frontline workers and their patients.
As the UK coronavirus death toll soars past 10,000, the NHS is experiencing an unprecedented rise in demand for PPE across the country and faces a shortage in supplies as the crisis continues - which could cost more lives.
Where to donate?
MedSupplyDriveUK are appealing to people, organisations and businesses to donate their PPE directly to local healthcare facilities, which include:
- Hospitals
- GP Hubs
- Hospices
- Care homes
What are we looking for?
In particular, they are looking for these models of mask because many NHS frontline workers have already been fit tested for them:
- Alpha Solway 3030V FFP3 mask
- 3M 8833 FFP3 masks
They also need:
- FFP3 Respirators (eg. MOLDEX 9000 Full Face Mask + ABEK1P3R Filters, Medium)
- FFP3 Masks (conforming to EN149:2001)
- FFP3 Mask fit testing kits
- Non-latex gloves
- Goggles
- Medical/Surgical Gowns
- Visors
- Tyvek / Hazmat Suits
MedSupplyDriveUK Scotland said: "No matter how big or how small, all donations of these essential supplies will make a massive difference and help save lives in the fight against COVID-19."
"It is worth checking your local facility is open before making your journey and maintain safe two metre physical distance at all times" they added.
For more information about the campaign, visit MedSupplyDriveUK here.
A group of Edinburgh engineers have banded together to make hundreds of face shields a day.
Edinburgh Shield Force have the capacity to manufacture up to 700 PPE masks a day and have launched a crowdfunder here.
For all of the latest updates on coronavirus in Edinburgh, visit our breaking news live blog here.
Another way to stay updated is by joining our new Edinburgh coronavirus news Facebook group.
For the latest guidance on coronavirus from Health Protection Scotland, click here.
