Colleges and firms bolster COVID equipment stocks

All of Derry’s post-primary schools have donated equipment including gloves, aprons and goggles, to frontline health care workers.

The North West Regional College meanwhile have manufactured 150 face guards with their 3D printing facilities.

The Western Trust last night expressed its “sincere thanks to businesses, schools and the general public for their cooperation, support and kindness over the past few weeks,” as it announced that a number of drop-off points for unused equipment have now been set up.

Relatives of frontline staff and carers working with COVID 19 patients at Altnagelvin Hospital, and with elderly people in the community, have contacted the ‘Journal’ over recent days to plea for personal protection equipment (PPE) donations amid concerns over the national shortage in supplies.

Lisneal College principal Michael Allen said that head teachers from all post-primary schools in the city have ‘raided’ their technology and science departments to provide personal protective equipment to medical staff.

The schools include Lisneal College, Oakgrove College, Foyle College, St. Mary’s College, Thornhill College, Lumen Christi College, St. Columb’s College, St. Joseph’s Boys’ School, St. Brigid’s College, St. Cecilia’s College and St. Patrick and St. Brigid’s, Claudy.

“The technology and science departments are going to be lying empty for up to five months and when we saw an appeal for PPE from the Foyle Hospice we decided to gather as much equipment as we could. From my school I gathered 70 pairs of goggles, gloves and aprons. I even raided the canteen for gloves,” he said.

Mr. Allen said that this was just one way local schools can show support to former pupils or the families of current pupils who are frontline health care workers. “It is a small thing we could do to show solidarity with them.”

The equipment was donated to the Foyle Hospice, Owen Mor Care Home and St. John’s Ambulance as well as individual nurses and social workers.

Meanwhile, the North West Regional College has encouraged anyone with 3D printers, laser cutters and rapid prototyping machinery to consider if they too can make PPE. The College, through its Business Support Centre and Product Design Centre, based at its campus in Limavady, produced over 150 face guards in just two days, and production will continue in the coming days.

Patrick McKeown, Director of Finance and Economic Engagement at the NWRC said: “We put out a call to colleagues to collect all the PPE that we have across the various areas of the college, from Hairdressing and Beauty, to Science and Technology, and Health and Social Care, and we have passed these on to those in need.”

Mr McKeown said the PDC had been using 3D printing and laser cutting facilities to create face guards and the ‘progress in a few short days has been significant’. 50 of the face guards were donated to Foyle Hospice last week.

The Western Trust said they have been “inundated with messages and offers to donate many items, such as refreshments for staff, accommodation and PPE”.

“We very much appreciate all these kind gestures,” a spokesperson said: “In an effort to manage the many donations and to ensure that people are not coming to our hospitals unnecessarily, a number of drop-off points across the Western Trust area have been identified.

“If you would like to make a donation of unopened / unused PPE Equipment or non-perishable food or toiletries, please contact our Health Improvement Team on [email protected] or (028) 7186 5127. Please contact the team prior to making your donation or travelling to a drop-off centre.

“If you would like information on providing accommodation support to our staff, please contact [email protected] and [email protected] or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact [email protected].

Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson yesterday called on businesses to check if they have any unused PPE Equipment on their premises.

She said: “All of our elected representatives have been contacted by frontline staff expressing serious concerns around the availability of appropriate PPE and access to testing.

“Health and social care staff in our hospitals, surgeries, hospices and carers are on the front line of the fight against COVID-19 and are doing excellent work in very challenging circumstances.”

The MLA also commended local schools, businesses and sporting facilities which had already donated equipment.