April 7, 2020 3.39 pm This story is over 52 months old

University of Lincoln makes scrubs for healthcare workers

‘Doing what we can’
The University of Lincoln is now making scrubs as it steps up its efforts to support healthcare workers in Lincolnshire during the coronavirus crisis. Photo: University of Lincoln

The University of Lincoln is now making scrubs as it steps up its efforts to support healthcare workers at the city’s hospital tackling the coronavirus crisis.

Staff and students from the University’s School of Engineering already started to meet the immediate need from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust by manufacturing safety visors and other equipment.

In partnerships with a nationwide project which started in Boston called For The Love Of Scrubs, volunteers are now using facilities at the University of Lincoln to cut and sew scrubs for healthcare workers.

The project, which has attracted nationwide support of over 20,000 volunteers, was started by Ashleigh Lindsell, who is a nurse at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston.

Scrubs made for healthcare workers in Lincolnshire. Photo: University of Lincoln

The team of volunteers cut out the scrubs pattern for other volunteer sewers in Lincolnshire who may not have the space or equipment to do so. Photo: University of Lincoln

The university’s expert volunteers are now making scrubs and 700 safety visors a week for healthcare workers and frontline staff.

The visors are being provided to frontline workers including GPs, pharmacists, care workers and supermarket employees.

The head band for one of several safety visors being manufactured by the University of Lincoln.

The university donated £50,000 to get the 3D printing project underway. It also called on the public to donate more funds, with over £60,000 raised, including gift aid, via a JustGiving page.

Fiona Robertson, a garment technician within the School of Design, has opened the pattern cutting and manufacturing studios at the University of Lincoln to make scrubs with a team of volunteers.

She said: “I heard about the project and thought we have all this space and equipment at the university that could be used to produce scrubs. It’s a large space, so we can observe social distancing while we work, and it’s good for us to be doing something positive during this difficult time too.

“If we all do what we can, then we will move through this situation faster. We have the facilities and staff to be able to help, therefore we help – no question.”

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