The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Firms’ donations help tackle NHS shortages
Much-needed face masks among equipment that will help keep medical staff safe during outbreak
Construction companies are being encouraged to donate personal protection equipment (PPE) to ease NHS shortages.
Dundee asbestos removal and demolition contractor Gowrie Contracts donated 100 face masks and 100 protective boiler suits to the infectious diseases ward at Ninewells this week.
Having been “overwhelmed” by “kind words” following the gesture, the company’s Martin Henderson said his firm is willing to collect spare PPE from others in Tayside and Fife and deliver it.
In particular, the highest protection FFP3 disposable masks are needed.
Mr Henderson said: “Rather than sitting on the shelf gathering dust we thought we’d donate them to the NHS.
“When we told them what they were they were delighted to get them and just wanted them as soon as possible.”
Despite initial confusion over construction workers’ status and present financial concerns, Mr Henderson said morally, they had to close down on Tuesday.
The firm’s generosity comes as pharmaceutical company Glaxosmithkline (GSK), which has a plant at Montrose, said it was “deeply committed” to supporting global efforts to tackle Covid-19.
Asked by The Courier if the company would be donating PPE equipment to bolster NHS demand, a spokesperson highlighted global efforts around donation, volunteering and research – with PPE also a consideration.
Using GSK science and technology, the company is helping to develop potential new vaccines and medicines.
“GSK is donating $10 million to The Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund to support WHO and partners to prevent, detect, and manage the pandemic, particularly where the needs are the greatest,” the spokesperson said.
“Among its objectives, the fund will enable distribution of essential supplies such as PPE to frontline health workers.
“GSK is also donating surplus reagents to support diagnostic testing to several countries and is preparing to do the same for surplus PPE.
“GSK has also initiated new volunteering processes for people working at the company, to enable those with medical expertise to provide support to frontline health workers, while at the same time ensuring we protect supply and development of our medicines and vaccines.
“Salespeople will help with PPE delivery and specialists are working at governmental level on supply chains.”
Other forms of generosity from the business community include Glasgow online travel retailer Trtl, which has donated 5,000 pairs of compression socks for nurses.
Worth £125,000, they will help acute nurses fight fatigue, with 500 pairs going to Ninewells.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are working hard with NHS National Services Scotland and partners across the four UK nations and globally to ensure continued supply of PPE.
“In addition, the Covid-19 manufacturing working group – which coordinates the work of the Scottish Government, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and the NHS – is working with a range of manufacturing businesses across Scotland who have come forward to provide support in the manufacture of key items required by our NHS.”
Such items, said the spokesperson, included ventilators, face masks, surgical gowns and hand sanitiser.”
“Rather than sitting on the shelf gathering dust we thought we’d donate them to the NHS.
MARTIN HENDERSON OF DEMOLITION COMPANY GOWRIE CONTRACTS