Government calls for manufacturers to help make NHS ventilators [NOW UPDATED with link to specification]
20 March 2020
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The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy is looking for businesses to support the production & supply of ventilators & ventilator components across the UK as part of the Government's response to COVID-19. [NOW UPDATED with link to specification – 20/03/20]
UPDATE [20/03/20] – Specification for ventilators to be used in UK hospitals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak now available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/specification-for-ventilators-to-be-used-in-uk-hospitals-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has this evening spoken to over sixty of the UK’s leading manufacturing businesses and organisations, calling on them to help the UK step up production of vital medical equipment, such as ventilators. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster also joined the call.
The PM made clear that responding to coronavirus and reducing the spread of the peak requires a national effort. He asked manufacturers to rise to this immediate challenge by offering skills and expertise, as well as manufacturing the components themselves. Businesses can get involved in any part of the process: design, procurement, assembly, testing and shipping.
He set the ambition for industry to manufacture as many new ventilators as possible, so we can all help the most vulnerable and our NHS, whose staff have been working round the clock. The government Chief Commercial Officer and Commercial Director from the NHS set out the clinical and design specifications. The government will remain in contact with businesses on anything further that the NHS might need to respond to the virus.
The Prime Minister thanked manufacturers for everything they have done so far. A number of companies are already engaged in the effort and exploring how they can best support. Any business who is able to help should get in touch, by phoning the BEIS Business Support Helpline on 0300 456 3565 or visiting https://ventilator.herokuapp.com
The Business Support Helpline has already received over 400 calls from businesses looking for information on how they can contribute to the Prime Minister’s call for ventilator production.
The PM also set out that the government will do everything we can to support businesses during this difficult time.
As well as manufacturers, the government is also looking for businesses with the following skills:
• design/specification
• rapid prototyping
• contract/product assembly
• certification/regulation/testing
• logistics
• medical training
If you think your business can help, please register your details at: https://ventilator.herokuapp.com/
Alternatively, contact Government Business Support team via phone:0300 456 3565 or email: ventilator.support@beis.gov.uk
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