Making medical gowns for RUH
News
Bath's universities and volunteers team up to provide hospital with protective gowns
Tuesday, 28 April, 2020Bath’s universities and local volunteers have come together to make medical gowns to help protect staff at the Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH) from coronavirus.
Using a pattern created by engineers from the University of Bath, local sewists from the Scrubs For The NHS Bath group, and Bath Spa University, have recently started stitching together gowns.
The RUH has supplied them with the specific material that gowns must be made from to effectively protect medical staff. The team, who have already begun work from their homes, currently have enough material to create around 4,000 gowns.
Tracey Proudman, who is a member of the sewing team, is well-placed to take part as she normally works for a bridalwear company. She said: “The NHS staff in Bath are doing such great work, so we’re just trying to do our bit. I’m keeping myself occupied with some worthwhile work so I’m just happy to be involved.”
Following social distancing rules, a group of colleagues from Bath Spa University are also using sewing machines at its Sion Hill campus, which are normally used by fashion students. As well as these latest endeavours, Bath Spa University is also working with volunteers to print patterns for medical protective scrubs.
Kerry Curtis, Head of Bath School of Design said: “It is an honour to be working collaboratively with the University of Bath to help protect the city’s incredible key workers. We are very proud of our colleagues and community of helpers who have rallied together at this truly unique time. Together we can make a difference.”
Dr Elise Pegg, a lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, created the pattern for the gowns after the University was approached by the RUH. She said: “I am a keen sewist so when the RUH approached our team making PPE to see if we could help with gowns, I happily offered my help.
“We created the pattern from a gown they sent up to us, but the real work has been done by Tracey and the sewists, who were so quick to agree to help. Over the weekend they made 100 gowns which the RUH staff have now tested and they’ve been vital in finding people with the right skills to help, so they deserve a huge thank you.”
James Scott, Chief Executive of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, added: “We’re really grateful to both the University of Bath and Bath Spa University, and of course the volunteers sewing the gowns, for their help. This effort will help our teams to care for our patients and staff and keep them safe.”