Club members equip out staff
Health chiefs have this week welcomed a huge appeal to ensure NHS staff have the protective equipment they need while dealing with coronavirus patients.
Lanark Rugby Club members were informed that workers at University Hospital Wishaw needed additional safety equipment, such as perspex glasses and protective masks, as they prepare for an increase in COVID-19 patients.
Rugby club president Iain Hughes launched an urgent appeal on Facebook last week, stating that it was a priority to ensure doctors, nurses and surgeons were all properly protected during their risky work for caring for infected patients.
His post was shared more than 2,500 times on Facebook, and there has been a very positive response from big name industrial companies, such as Babcock International and Screwfix, offering large amounts of equipment.
Iain has been overwhelmed with the response and has been in touch with hospital management to figure out the safest and most responsible way to deliver these vital items –while adhering to the government’s social distancing rules.
The 41-year-old dad-of-two said: “The request came through our rugby club as one of our members’ wives works in Wishaw hospital and she was aware that staff didn’t have enough protection due to an increase in patients during this COVID-19 outbreak.
“My wife Suzie suggested putting it on Facebook where there has already been a huge amount of warmth and support for the amazing job NHS staff are doing.
“Before I knew it there were 2,500 shares and phone calls from individuals, national companies and international companies wanting to donate equipment.
“I didn’t expect such a huge response but it’s not entirely surprising. It’s this sense of community that’s keeping everyone going. It’s quite inspiring to see.
“There’s a time and place to ask why staff haven’t got all the protective equipment they need, but that’s not now. It’s about making sure these people have what they need because if these key workers end up sick we’re all in trouble.”
Iain’s wife dropped a box of perspex glasses off at University Hospital Wishaw on Thursday, and he has also been in touch with management about the logistics of taking delivery of the larger promised donations from companies.
NHS Lanarkshire chiefs are delighted with the donations, and are actively welcoming donations on top of what they already receive.
Iain Hughes said: “I’m conscious of the fact that we don’t want to be putting more people on the streets unnecessarily and we’re extremely mindful of risks and the government regulations.
“But there are still some people going about their work and are out and about.
“I’m waiting to speak to management at the hospital, and hope to get advice from them on the best way they can receive deliveries.”
Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire Director of Planning, Property and Performance, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the offers of support we have received. On behalf of NHS Lanarkshire, I would like to thank everyone for their generosity.
“We are receiving regular stocks of PPE equipment from the NHS Scotland National Distribution Centre.
“However, if anyone would like to donate any additional equipment, ideally we would appreciate it if they could email our procurement department at procurementenquiries@lanarkshire.scot. nhs.uk. Donating in this way will allow us to carry out quality assurance testing and means we can distribute the equipment fairly and to where it is needed most.”