More than 1,000 gowns, several thousand gloves and more than 100 eye goggles have been donated for use by staff at the city’s Royal Sussex County Hospital. A further 100 gowns, 1,000 gloves and eye goggles have been donated to a GP practice.
Medical school staff have responded quickly to urgent calls for assistance from the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and a GP practice in Sussex.
BSMS students will also be assisting by providing childcare to NHS staff working during the crisis.
Professor Claire Smith, Head of Anatomy at BSMS, said: “At such a difficult time, we must all look to how we can support our colleagues and donating much needed PPE was one way we could quickly help.”
The donation follows a call from Deborah Miarkowska, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Brighton, to support the sourcing of protective equipment (PPE) by visiting Masks4NHSheroes. The crowdfunder, which was set-up by a group of doctors and promoted by celebrities such as actor James McAvoy, has so far raised over £1m.
She said: “My colleagues and students are putting their health on the line. I want to encourage everyone to raise awareness of the need for PPE. Campaigns such as Masks4NHSheroes are crucial.”