A London hospital trust has opened a “3D printing farm” to produce 1,500 face visors a day for frontline staff.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS trust has teamed up with 3D printing firms and enthusiasts and has more than 200 machines working 24 hours a day to create the protective shields.
They are being made at the trust’s supply hub in Dartford and are being shared with other NHS hospitals.
The shields are being assembled by volunteers including staff and students at King’s College London and Brunel universities and volunteers from the 3D printing community.
David Lawson, chief procurement officer at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said it had been incredible seeing the collaboration, adding: “Being able to print our own stock will also allow us to support other trusts in need of these items.”
3D printing specialist iMakr has provided many of the printers.
Its chief executive Sylvain Preumont said it was proud that its expertise was providing essential support to frontline NHS teams.
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Pi Supply, which makes and sells electronic devices, is also helping. Aaron Shaw, of PI Supply, said: “My sister and brother-in-law are both junior doctors so it is an issue close to my heart.”
