HEALTH officials have praised the efforts of organisations across the North East for their donations of equipment and supplies to keep frontline staff safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.
NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCGs) has expressed its appreciation for the generous offers of personal protective equipment (PPE), help and support from the local business community.
Jo Waldmeyer, project director, NHS Tees Valley CCG, said: “The CCG created a dedicated PPE team, with re-deployed staff members from children’s commissioning and project management, to contact local organisations with requests for items including facemasks, coveralls, gloves, hand-sanitiser, aprons and eye protection.
“Donations are then distributed to GP practices and other care providers including NHS Trusts, hospices, care homes, home care providers and personal care assistants.
“The response we have received from local companies has been absolutely overwhelming – however we are still seeing significant pressures around sourcing coveralls and gowns for our frontline staff and would welcome any further donations of PPE.”
Companies and individuals who have already donated items include:
- AELS Asbestos Surveys, Removals and Property Maintenance, Seaham
- Northern Safety Ltd
- Morrisons, Guisborough
- Wickes DIY Store, Darlington
- Marske Vets
- Grange Vets, Darlington
- Dunelm Veterinary Group, Durham
- Siobhan Lund, Darlington
- Cleveland Police
NHS Tees Valley CCG is working alongside NHS colleagues, through the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System, to help source emergency PPE for the whole of the region and in partnership with the Cleveland Local Resilience Forum to support delivery and distribution.
David Gallagher, chief officer, NHS Tees Valley CCG added: “Making sure front line staff continue to have access to PPE is vitally important.
“Staff, locally and regionally, are working around the clock to ensure vitally needed items of PPE are available for our front line teams and I would like to thank everyone who has been working tirelessly to ensure these supplies reach our workforce.
“The support we have received, and continue to receive, from our local communities and businesses is helping to make a real difference to our fight against Covid-19.”
Anyone wishing to donate PPE equipment can contact: TVCCG.PPE@nhs.net
