Tuesday 31 March 2020
Up to 600 full face visors could be produced on-island as part of a community-led project that has been working alongside the States of Guernsey in recent weeks as plans to combat the global pandemic have intensified.
The first 100 face visors, designed to the specification needed by staff in ICU at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, have been delivered and more are on the way. The visors will be predominately utilised by ICU staff but can also be used across HSC teams, including in a community setting where a procedure that might require such protection is delivered.
Those behind the work are now calling on anyone with access to a 3D printer to come forward and support efforts to produce as many as possible - materials are in place to produce up to 600 in total.
There is a shortage worldwide of protective face visors for use by healthcare professionals. 3D printers can be used to make the headband part of the mask and those behind the initiative have set up a Facebook page 'Guernsey Community 3D Print' so that anyone who can help can find out how, The direct link to the page is https://www.facebook.com/groups/229281821784061/?ref=share
Additionally the same community group, which includes business leaders from the likes of PwC, Atec Engineering, AirFi Networks and Offshore Electronics among many others working closely with staff across the States of Guernsey, arranged the importation of four room purifiers for use in the new 'hot ICU' (formerly the Day Patient Unit). These room purifiers will provide increased protection for staffing working in this areas by 'cleaning' the air and reducing COVID droplets in the environment.
Nick Vermeulen, Partner at PwC and a spokesperson for the group's efforts, said:
"We all just wanted to do something to help and know that sourcing these essentials is very difficult at this time given the global nature of this pandemic. Producing the face visors for the team at the Intensive Care Unit has been a real team effort between the medical professionals, colleagues across the States of Guernsey and the wider community. We have produced 150 so far and have the materials to produce another 450 as needed. Anyone with a 3D printer that they are willing to use is asked to come forward and contact us via atec@cwgsy.net or our new Facebook page - Guernsey Community 3D Print."
Deputy Heidi Soulsby, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, said:
"This is what #GuernseyTogether is all about. Face visors are a critical item to help keep our front-line staff as safe as possible but there is a global shortage so we were struggling to resource our needs through the normal supply chain. There are a lot of people behind this work and far too many for me to thank here individually, but this is such an amazing example of businesses, the community and the States working in partnership. If anyone out there has access to a 3D printer that either isn't being used, or they can release for this essential work, then please get in touch with the community project team. Thank you to all involved."
The community team has included:
Ade Marsh - Atec Engineering
Adrian Vaudin - Sarnia Plastics
Anja Jones - Grammar School
Chris Corcoran - JTC
Chris Morris - States of Guernsey trade/Economic Development
Colin Vaudin - States of Guernsey Chief Information Officer
Dave Inder
Dr David McColl- Medical Specialist Group
Helen Ridgwick - States of Guernsey Procurement Ian Campbell
Interface Devices Ltd
Jac van der Watt - Utmost
James Larbalestier - JL Innovation Ltd
Jes van der Tang - Offshore Electronics
Jim Rouse - Boudlo Forge Limited
John Eaton - Head of ICU at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital
John Fitzpatrick - Sigma Jon Lowe - PwC Jon Prince Justin Bellinger - Sure
Marcel Lenormand - Makerspace
Mark Thompson
Nick Conway
Nick Vermeulen - PwC
Nigel Smith - Grammar School
Paul van der Tang - Offshore Electronics
Pierre Bisson - The Machine Shop
Robert Sillars - Sigma
Russell Clark - Carey Olsen
Trevor Nicholls
