Supporting the NHS
Global Office Supplies Donates Essential PPE to Local NHS Facility
Global Office Supplies is happy to have been able to donate some of the essential personal protective equipment (PPE) that the NHS is in desperate need of and show them just how grateful we are that they are continuing to support us during these difficult times.
We are all still suffering the effects of the recent coronavirus pandemic and it doesn’t look like things will be getting back to normal any time soon. Fortunately, most of us are able to stay safe and reduce the spread of this deadly virus. We are working remotely, staying at home and avoiding contact with others where possible.
Supporting Essential Services
However, this isn’t the case for everyone. Many of those in our communities work to provide essential services and, if it wasn’t for them putting their necks on the line, we would be much worse off.
Food retailers, pharmacies, newsagents, dentists, vets, couriers, postal workers, refuse collectors, police, firefighters, doctors, nurses, health care assistants and many many more are all doing their bit to ensure that the country keeps running, and we would be completely lost without them.
While everyone that continues to work is incredibly important, one service that is crucial in keeping us all safe is the National Health Service (NHS). NHS staff are working tirelessly to keep hospitals running. They are are all working harder than ever and under even more pressure than they have ever been before. Sadly, they don’t have the equipment they need and are having to rely on donations to get by until the government can source more items.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
NHS staff all need Personal Protective Equipment to keep themselves and others safe from the spread of germs. Unfortunately, during this pandemic, they have found themselves short of the things they need.
Anyone who comes into close contacts with patients who may have, or do have, coronavirus should wear some sort of protection. That includes staff working in care homes, prisons and the community, as well as in GP surgeries or hospitals.
Government guidelines recommend that anyone working within 2m (6ft) of a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patient should wear an apron, gloves, a surgical mask and eye protection. Those carrying out tasks that could generate airborne droplets of saliva that contain the virus should use an even higher standard of protection including disposable gowns, filtering respirators and face-shielding visors.
Global demand for PPE is at unprecedented levels and some countries have even placed export bans on it. Unfortunately, this means that some NHS staff don’t have the equipment they need, leaving them vulnerable, exposed and frightened.
Relying on Donations
Global Office Supplies is fortunate enough to have secured some PPE stock and was happy to have been able to donate some essential PPE items to one of our local NHS practices to support them in their fight against COVID-19.
The government is working hard to secure more stock and make sure that everyone has access to the PPE that they need but, in the meantime, practices are relying on the public to produce and donate all the aprons, gloves, surgical makes, disposable gowns, filtering respirators and face-shielding visors that they can.
If you are able to help, you can donate through your local council and there is a particular need for:
- Disposable surgical masks – must be type IIR and splash resistant
- Gloves
- Respirator masks – must be FFP2 or FFP3
- Hand sanitiser – must be 60% alcohol minimum
- Gowns – must be water-resistant
- Ventilators and associated consumables
- Reusable protective eyewear – goggles or glasses
- Hazmat suits
- Antibacterial wipes
- Theatre caps
We’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who is working on the frontline to ensure that we all remain safe during these uncertain times.
