Since the beginning of March, talks between the NHS and independent sector providers have been ongoing about how the private sector can support the health service as the Coronavirus causes a surge in demand for medical supplies.
In recent days the Government has been making a number of announcements around the need for ventilators, medical equipment and services. We have gathered this information below, providing details on how your business can support the Government during this uncertain time.
The manufacturing sector must “come together”
The Government has expressed its concern about the shortage of life-saving equipment available to NHS staff as Coronavirus infections increase across the UK.
Downing Street has urged the manufacturing sector “to come together to help the country”.
“Preparing for the spread of the Coronavirus outbreak is a national priority and we’re calling on the manufacturing industry and all those with relevant expertise who might be able to help to come together to help the country tackle this national crisis.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been engaging with engineering firms about whether they “can shift production lines to building NHS ventilators”, and this week Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock MP, has reached out to the private sector, urging suppliers that can help the Government at this time to contact its support team.
Call for ventilators
The UK Government made a call for ventilator production on 16 March, announcing that it is “looking for businesses to support in the production and supply of ventilators and ventilator components.”
The shortage is not an isolated problem for the UK – the United States, China, Italy and France have all struggled with a shortage of ventilators. Having access to a ventilator is vital for patients critically ill with COVID-19 as the machine can get oxygen into the lungs and remove carbon dioxide from the body.
The Government website states that as well as manufacturers, they will need a number of skills from industry and the supply chain as part of the nation’s COVID-19 response:
- design/specification
- rapid prototyping
- contract/product assembly
- certification/regulation/testing
- logistics
- medical training
Support the UK Government during the COVID-19 crisis
For more than 20 years, Tracker Intelligence has led the way in helping the public and private sectors work together – and now more than ever before it is vital that they do so.
If your business can support the NHS during this time contact the Government Support Team using the following details:
Phone Number: 0300 456 3565
