An initiative set up in Bath in response to the personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage for frontline NHS staff has received its first order from Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The Foldall face shields in production | Photo © Andrew Lloyd (alpictures.co.uk)
Foldall will supply an initial batch of 5,000 shields to the council for distribution to key workers in the health and social care network to protect themselves and others from coronavirus as they carry out their critical roles.
The operation is working on a further 19,000 face shields ordered by the council to support frontline workers in a range of sectors across the district.
The face shields have already reached the frontline within the first week of operation.
The initiative is now asking for volunteers to help on the production line to get the vital protection to NHS staff as soon as possible.
Councillor Dine Romero, council leader, said: “I’d like to extend a big thank you to Foldall for their initiative in setting this operation up so quickly to make sure these critical supplies reach the people who need them.
“Although we must all follow Government advice to stay at home whenever we can and practise social distancing, there are obviously some critical roles including care of adults and children that mean key workers still have to interact with people.
The Foldall production line in the church | Photo © Andrew Lloyd (alpictures.co.uk)
“I’m grateful that this local company has enabled us to distribute these much-needed supplies.”
A spokesperson for Foldall said: “We understand how vital it is to get these face shields to our frontline workers. That’s why we urgently need volunteers from local areas who do not have any Covid-19 symptoms, have not been self-isolating and are age 16 and above to help us on the assembly line.
“Our assembly environment is strictly following social-distancing rules to ensure our volunteers’ health and safety. Please sign up on our website.”
More information about Foldall can be found at: https://www.foldall.co.uk/.
You can find the latest coronavirus information, advice and community updates for the Bath & North East Somerset area on our dedicated live blog here.
