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University staff go the extra mile in the fight against COVID-19

21/04/2020

University of Wolverhampton staff have quite literally been going that extra mile to help in the fight against COVID-19.

Natalia Hill, Business and Project Development Manager, who works in the University’s Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing based at Walsall Campus, has been co-ordinating the supply and delivery of PPE to NHS Trust frontline staff as well as caregivers and volunteers who are working in the community.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Natalia has delivered 4,000 pairs of gloves and 100 clinical waste bags to Compton Hospice, based in Wolverhampton; 15,000 pairs of gloves and 30 3D printed visors to City of Wolverhampton Council staff; 71 pairs of protective glasses, a whiteboard and 50 3D printed visors to New Cross Hospital; 6,000 pairs of gloves and a box of disposable aprons to Dudley Council and 70 3D printed visors to Coton Grange Care Home in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton.

Midland Partnership Foundation Trust collected 100 litres of sanitiser and Natalia is co-ordinating the delivery of more 3D printed visors and hand sanitiser to care homes across the region who are in urgent need of PPE.

This is part of a response to an appeal from the City of Wolverhampton Council to donate personal protective equipment, PPE, to help keep frontline social care workers safe.

Professor Nazira Karodia, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Regional Engagement, who is co-ordinating the University’s community response to COVID-19, said: “We are really proud of the wide range of projects colleagues in the University are launching to combat this virus.

“Whether they are putting their academic and technical skills to good use in terms of innovation, or whether they are taking the time to ensure that students are supported in reaching their academic goals successfully, every single contribution counts.

“Without a doubt working with our community partners has meant that our collective based response to this unprecedented pandemic is really making a difference where it matters the most.”

The University is also contributing to the fight against the pandemic by providing an advanced PCR machine for testing for COVID-19 at the government’s new ‘super lab’ at Alderley Park in Cheshire, School of Pharmacy staff, Dr Matthew Palframan, Dr Mark Hewitt and Dr Aman Dhir are producing hand and surface sanitiser, School of Engineering staff including Dr Graham Sparey-Taylor and Paul Bates are producing 3D printed visors for NHS Trust front line staff, caregivers and members of the community who are volunteering and Wolverhampton School of Art Technical Demonstrator for Fashion in the Fashion and Textiles Department, Fiona Griffiths, has made 16 sets of scrubs University Hospitals North Midlands and Royal Stoke and County Hospitals.

        

Businesses that can help are asked to please contact the council as soon as possible. For businesses wishing to donate items email: covid19procurement@wolverhampton.gov.uk with full details of any PPE which may be available. Businesses selling PPE should please visit https://bit.ly/3dNlpaC. Please provide information around the certification of items if all possible.

Main Picture: Natalia Hill delivering PPE supplies. 

ENDS

 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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