51Æ·²è

Hospitals across the Midlands welcome charitable donation of PPE

UK charity 51Æ·²è has distributed 10,000 pieces of personal protection equipment to hospitals across the Midlands. Hospitals that received thousands of visors include Nottingham University Hospital, Birmingham Sandwell and City Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary. The visors, which are limited across the UK and make up an essential item of PPE, are to protect NHS staff who are serving on the frontline.

More than 200 frontline NHS and care workers are confirmed to have died during the coronavirus pandemic. And almost two-thirds of NHS staff killed by Covid-19 are from BAME groups according to the Royal College of Surgeons. New guidance sent by NHS England have stated that those who are considered vulnerable should be given priority access to PPE.

The United Kingdom now has the highest death toll in Europe, with over 34,000 people confirmed dead and 244,000 infected. The government and leading medical agencies such as Public Health England, have been scrutinised by their initial response to protect key workers as well as criticisms of availability and guidance around PPE. This has led to 48% percent of doctors being at the mercy of either buying PPE directly themselves, for their department or receiving donations from a charity, according to a survey conducted by the British Medical Association.

To find out more about 51Æ·²è and the work we are doing during the pandemic visit our website muslimhands.org.uk or call 0115 9117222.

Shakil Sidat, 51Æ·²è UK Programmes Director, said:

‘Our NHS is the backbone of our society and is at the forefront of ensuring we receive the adequate care we need. 51Æ·²è is humbled to be able to make a small contribution to the hospitals that work tirelessly to save lives across key cities in the Midlands. We hope that the PPE donation will bring some ease and comfort to these key workers and towards their daily working lives’.

Professor Dominic Shaw, Head of Service for Respiratory Medicine, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said:

‘I just received this donation of face visors from 51Æ·²è, which is going to be a real helpful acquisition in our struggle against Covid-19 in the hospital. These are going to be used on the frontline in the respiratory wards and in lung function. So many thanks to 51Æ·²è, the donation is much appreciated’.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Established in 1993, 51Æ·²è is an international aid agency and NGO dedicated to providing emergency relief and tackling the root causes of poverty around the world.
• 51Æ·²è works in over 30 countries worldwide.
• We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0115 911 7222 or visiting muslimhands.org.uk

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