Community cottons on to gowns for GPs appeal
An appeal has gone out from Oban to turn sheets and duvet covers into much-needed protection for GPs.
Any cotton or easy-washable material once washed at 90 degrees will do, says Jane Churchill and Aideen Shields who are helping co-ordinate aid across Argyll.
So far the appeal has received requests for more than 100 gowns from doctors’ surgeries around our region and from Lorn and the Islands Hospital.
The Gowns for GPs appeal comes hot on the heels of a national effort, For The Love of Scrubs, where people have been making scrubs for hospital workers.
The need for GPs to have a fresh change of kit for protection was identified after a plea from the GP Survival Scotland group due to the government is not supplying them.
A dressmaker friend of Jane and Aideen’s in Caithness got in touch to see if they could help organise a response.
The friend was already supporting For The Love of Scrubs but they were overwhelmed by requests. Jane and Aideen offered to help make gowns for GPs and put out a call in our area.
Aideen, who runs the Garden Tearoom and bunkhouse on Kerrera, has already donated bundles of duvets so her sewing-savvy neighbour can turn them into gowns.
And the Owen Sails team at Benderloch are also on the case, responding to a request for help from Lochgilphead Hospital. Owen Sails has bought £2,000 worth of material and the team are using their special cutting machine to cut pieces from the fabric ready for their team and volunteers to make the gowns from home.
The gowns need to be longsleeved with elasticated or rib-cuffing, down to the knees or below. Just a simple neck, no pockets with ties around the waist or at the back.
Anyone wanting to help can post on the Facebook page, searching Gowns for GPs, putting sewers in touch with area co-ordinators to get the gowns to where they are needed.
The idea is to limit contact and travel as much as possible, linking gown making groups with their nearest demand.
Bonawe’s Breege Smyth and her network of sewers, who have also been making masks, have offered to make 50 gowns.
Campaigners from the national For The Love of Scrubs scheme say the request and demands they receive from GPs and hospitals is ‘heartbreaking’ and they have had stories of GPs having to attend COVID-19 patients wearing bin bags as gowns.
In just over one week, the campaign has raised nearly £25,000 but more is still needed. They have the sewers and the structure to make the scrubs but need money to buy material.
Any GPs wanting gowns should visit fortheloveof scrubs.scot/gownsrequest
To donate money to help buy material, visit gofundme. com/f/for-the-love-of-scrubs