Plea to manufacturers for protective equipment
A call to arms was today issued to the region’s manufacturers and small businesses to join the Covid-19 fight by manufacturing or donating protective clothing for carers and other frontline workers.
The West Midlands is the biggest regional hotspot for coronavirus outside London.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has joined forces with local councils and business groups, including the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, to issue the rallying call for companies who can help tackle the shortage.
The Government has secured bulk orders of PPE for the NHS and hospitals, but equipment is in short supply to public service workers such as social care staff.
Cllr Paulette Hamilton, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for health and social care added: “Care staff and wider front-line staff have been absolutely amazing during these unprecedented times, but we need to ensure they have the right protective equipment, which we all know is in a national shortage.
“Many local authorities, including Birmingham, have set up ways for businesses to donate spare equipment so I’m really pleased to see this call for the manufacture of PPE in addition to donations. I’ve been so impressed with the way we are all coming together to support our front-line staff so I’m sure there any many businesses out there that are only too happy to help.”
Full details can be found here.
