Could marine survival kit help health workers?
A Lochaber outdoor pursuits expert has suggested health chiefs should examine the possibility of turning the marine industry’s countless sets of thermal survival clothing into desperately needed scrubs for front line health and care workers.
Niall Johnson, from Mallaig, currently works on offshore fish farms but also has decades of experience running his own outdoors pursuits centre in the Outer Hebrides and as a mountaineer.
He says the Thermal Protection Aid (TPA) which can take the form of a suit with arms and legs, or resemble a large sleeping bag, might be one possible solution to the national shortage of scrubs.
Mr Johnson told the Lochaber Times this week: ‘Every commercial vessel in the UK is required to carry TPAs for all passengers and crew.
Thermal protective aids are plastic suits which cover all body except face and hands.
‘They’re waterproof with elasticated ankles and wrists. I am sure they could be used for NHS scrubs and there are millions of them in the UK in vessels, marine chandlery, stores, oil rig helicopters, etc, and come in sealed bags.
‘Can you ask the question if this can be made to work, to health professionals, maritime bosses, health secretary, anyone else? It must be worth a shot?’
TPAs are designed to reduce heat loss in survival situations. But they are not thickly lined and, while Mr Johnson admits they might be a bit sweaty to wear indoors, so are scrubs and had to be better than nothing.
And he added: ‘Even if you cut the bottom off the sleeping bag-style TPA at floor level, it would still afford protection, like a plastic ankle-length dress.’
Asked if this was something worth considering, NHS Highland told the Lochaber Times it has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the support it has received from the local community from both companies and individuals.
‘We are also incredibly grateful for the offers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other gifts that have been made over recent weeks,’ said an NHS Highland spokesperson.
‘As an organisation we have to ensure that any PPE issued to staff in NHS Highland is in line with national guidance and standards to ensure that our staff are provided with the highest standards of protection.
‘With this in mind we have set up a page on our website where any donations of this kind can be catalogued in a central location. This can be accessed at: www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/COVID19/ Pages/EquipmentDonations. aspx
‘The influx of support and offers of help we have been receiving has been truly amazing. Thank you again for all your support.’