Hartlepool hospice workers welcome free face shields boost to protect against Covid-19

Company Applied Scientific Technologies, based in Thirsk, have provided the hospice with a number of reusable plastic face shields.

The firm has been using their technology to produce the shields made out of a 3D printed frame, a clear face shield, a piece of foam tape, and elastic strapping.

They can be removed and replaced by staff in less than 30 seconds.

Alice House, in Wells Avenue, has now received thousands of pieces of much-needed protective equipment (PPE) thanks to donations from Hartlepool Borough Council, schools and businesses.

Paula Tempest, clinical lead for Alice House Hospice, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who has donated face shields for our care staff.

“These have really made a difference for our frontline staff and they feel much more protected and safe.

“The shields are worn in addition to face masks and therefore offer full face protection. Everyone’s support has been amazing and at the minute have plenty of stock for our staff.”

Applied Scientific Technologies are being inundated with requests to provide more of the face shields after making and providing them to local frontline key workers including doctors, nurses, and care workers.

It has set up a GoFundMe page to help meet the increasing demand. Money raised will pay for the cost of printing materials such as filaments, clear face shields, elastic strap and foam protection.

Rebecca Jobson, senior communications manager at Alice House Hospice, added: “Staff at Alice House are really grateful for the donation of reusable face shields, this is a great idea and a fantastic way to utilise existing technology and skills during this pandemic.”

Other equipment donated to Alice House in recent weeks include scrub bags made by English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College.

Health workers can put their used scrubs in the bags at the end of their shift and put them in the washing machine to reduce cross contamination risk.

And the hospice has had 1,000 aprons and 1,000 pairs of disposable gloves from Hartlepool Borough Council, plus 1,000 face masks from EDF Energy, the operator of Hartlepool Power Station.

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