University helps Huddersfield Royal Infirmary with vital supplies

AS its local NHS hospital copes with pressures of Covid-19, the University of Huddersfield has been able to deliver a large cache of equipment – including gloves and face masks – that will help protect staff against the virus.

The University runs a wide range of healthcare courses, meaning that it keeps substantial stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the benefit of its students.

When the University’s Estates and Facilities department decided to do what it could to assist the Huddersfield NHS Trust during the crisis, an audit of the schools that teach healthcare and related subjects revealed that 18,000 pairs of blue gloves, 150 pairs of glasses and 150 face masks plus 20,000 waste bags, aprons and other items could be collated and delivered to the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

The University’s Acting Director of Estates and Facilities, Tim Hosker, confessed he was pleasantly surprised by the quantity of equipment available.  He liaised with the Trust, while his team, including cleaning manager Mick Hall, purchasing co-ordinator Phil Goddard and cleaning co-ordinator Colin Arundel, assembled and delivered the gloves, masks and other items.

“It took us a few days to empty the cupboards, but we’ve given pretty much everything we can now,” said Mr Hosker.

He added that the University’s initiative was triggered by media reports that the NHS was short of PPE in hospitals and a number of other UK universities and organisations had taken similar steps.

Although the University of Huddersfield has handed over all its supplies, the Estate and Facilities department is still eager to play its part in the crisis.

“We have offered any help we can to the procurement team at the NHS Trust, such as aiding deliveries,” said Mr Hosker.

Over 400 final-year and second-year nursing students at the University have taken up the option of completing their courses on clinical placement in hard-pressed hospitals around the region.