North-East businesses urged to donate unneeded equipment to protect NHS staff from coronavirus

The North East England Chamber of Commerce is supporting the national call out for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be given to the emergency services by any organisations who no longer need it.

Specific items that the chamber is helping to source for frontline workers are clinical gowns, FFP3 face masks, IIR face masks, disposable aprons, clinical waste bags, nitrile gloves and clinical visors.

It is also calling on businesses which are able to manufacture PPE and other crucial items to produce them as soon as possible to help emergency services get through the next few weeks.

Chief executive James Ramsbotham said the chamber was asking anyone who was in a position to help to play their part, adding: “We are in the fortunate position where we have strong links to over 3,000 businesses in our region and have urged them to donate any surplus PPE to help our front-line carers,” he said.

“It is imperative those working closely with coronavirus sufferers are protected themselves.

“We have already had our first success with our member Marine Safety Supplies passing on a quantity of surplus hand sanitiser to a North East health trust.”

The Chamber is also providing regular updates on its website www.neechamber.co.uk and organising webinars on mental health well-being and business support for members.

Any business which can help with donations of PPE for health workers should contact the Chamber’s policy team by e-mailing [email protected].

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