Medical ventilators are vital in the battle against coronavirus. For patients in intensive care, these life-saving machines breathe for you allowing virus-infected lungs to rest and recover.
The UK needs to arm itself with an estimated 30,000 ventilators to fight this virus, yet with only 8,175 units available across the UK medical system, the UK government put out an urgent call for aid two weeks ago.
Major UK industrial, technology & engineering businesses rose to the challenge bringing their engineering skills and industrial knowledge to meet this urgent call. Ventilator Challenge UK has emerged – a consortium of 16 engineering firms including SW companies Airbus, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, GKN and Renishaw.
WoE Initiative & Gloucestershire Chamber members in Ventilator Challenge UK consortium
With the West of England being a hotspot for precision engineering, design, technology and manufacturing we are proud that our Initiative and Chamber member organisations are taking an active role in the national response.
Airbus, GKN and Rolls-Royce are Business West Initiative members and Renishaw is a member of the Gloucestershire Chambers of Commerce. These high-profile membership and leadership organisations enable the business community to positively influence the way our area is shaped, managed and developed.
The government has now placed a formal order to companies in the consortium Ventilator Challenge UK in excess of 10,000 ventilator units. Production of an agreed new design will now be accelerated, based on existing technologies, which can be can be assembled from materials and parts in current production.
The device combines existing proven clinical equipment and is the clinicians’ first choice for the RMVS (rapidly manufactured ventilator system). Many of these firms are ramping up production of the proven ventilator design which is currently produced by Smiths Medical of Luton and Penlon in Oxfordshire.
Dick Elsy, Chair of the Consortium and CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult’s Chief Executive, said:
“This consortium brings together some of the most innovative companies in the world. Every day, their highly-skilled staff collaborate to create solutions that help millions of people, and this project is no different. They are working together with incredible determination and energy to scale up production of much-needed ventilators and combat a virus that is affecting people in many countries. I am confident this consortium has the skills and tools to make a difference and save lives.”
Will Lee, Chief Executive of Renishaw said:
“I am proud that Renishaw is part of a consortium that will be supplying ventilators to the UK’s National Health Service as part of a global effort to increase the supply of this vital equipment.”
Katherine Bennett, Senior Vice President at Airbus said:
“The fight against Covid-19 affects every one of us. Airbus is part of the VentilatorChallengeUK Consortium and is using its industrial skills to rapidly scale up the production of ventilators to support the NHS and help save lives. I would like to thank all of our employees involved for their fantastic commitment to help the UK at this time.”
James Durie, CEO of Chambers & Initiative at Business West said:
"Its both fantastic and heartening to see some of our leading business members from the region stepping up and responding together so quickly to this national crisis and working together to help enable the best treatment is available people as a result of this virus. At this time of challenge again and again we are seeing examples of business and enterprise going further and further to make things happen".
Wiltshire-based Dyson has also received orders for 10,000 ventilators based on its CoVent prototype working with The Technology Partnership – science and innovation companies specialising in medical equipment. The government has also placed multimillion-pound orders with existing specialist suppliers Inspiration Healthcare.
What support is the government still asking for?
The government call-out asked companies for support to build ventilators and now applications are closed. However, click if you would like to offer coronavirus support from your business in the following areas:
• medical testing equipment
• medical equipment design
• protective equipment for healthcare workers, such as masks, gowns and sanitiser
• hotel rooms
• transport and logistics, for moving goods or people
• manufacturing equipment
• warehouse or office space, for medical use or storage
• expertise or support on IT, manufacturing, construction, project management, procurement, engineering or communications
• social care or childcare
Bristol gin companies are responding to the urgent requirement for hand sanitiser with Bristol Dry Gin Company, Psychopomp and Brewdog already in production of medical-grade hand sanitiser. Today the government calls for 3D printer owners to urgently create face masks for the NHS.
Extreme need drives extreme innovation
At a time when we all feel powerless in the fight against this deadly virus, it’s heartening to see innovation in action with local businesses leading the way and sharing their expertise to make a tangible difference to this national emergency. There’s much more still to do.
Is your company involved in the national effort to fight coronavirus?
Please get in touch if the West of England Initiative and Business West Chambers of Commerce can help – we can offer support, advice, share your stories or help you to connect with other businesses. You can also access critical information and raise a question through our dedicated Trading through Coronavirus hub.
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