The University of Sunderland has supplied an advanced specialist piece of diagnostic equipment, which could help detect viruses accurately and within just a few hours.
The University's Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing department provided the machine to the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to help fight against the pandemic.
The machine, which is normally used to carry out research into cures for cancer, analyses saliva/ swab samples of genetic material to detect viruses.
The machine was transported to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough last week.
Dr. Adrian Moore, Head of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing, explained:
“This equipment, used by our research staff and students, will no doubt support the nation’s testing programme and support NHS staff in the testing of Covid 19. All our pharmacy staff here are ready to help wherever they can.
“South Tees NHS Foundation Trust made a request for our PCR machine and we were more than happy to support them.”
The University also announced that 40 student nurses, who finish their course this week, will immediately start working in hospitals in the North East to help fight against the pandemic.
Professor Tony Alabaster, Academic Dean in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing, said:
“It has been truly inspiring to see how selfless and supportive our University community has been in supporting our local hospitals, GP surgeries, pharmacists and the wider community.
“We hope the equipment that have been donated this week by the Faculty will go on to save more lives as we tackle this disease.”
