Friday, 17 April 2020
The 糖心原创 has come to the aid of the NHS in Nottinghamshire with the supply of a special solution that is used to train staff to properly use PPE masks.
After supplies of Fit Testing solution became scarce, Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s procurement team asked for help on social media in developing the solution. They had supplies of Bitrex in solid form, but not the facility to transform that into usable solution.
Professor Simon Langley-Evans, Head of the School of Biosciences responded to that call, and with all his students away, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, worked with technician John Corrie, to make 10 litres of solution (300 bottles) for the NHS to use.
Bitrex solution is a bitter tasting chemical that is essential when training staff to use PPE masks, to ensure the safety of themselves and others during an infection outbreak. It tastes revolting, so if it is squirted in your face when you have a mask on and you can taste it, then your mask is not fitted correctly.
When I saw the call out on social media I knew immediately this was something I could help with. Making the solution was quite straightforward as we had all the ingredients here on campus at Sutton Bonington, the hardest part was decanting and labelling the 300 bottles! The job did leave a bit of an aftertaste too as for four days after finishing the job, I couldn鈥檛 get the taste of the solution out of my mouth 鈥� however a small price to pay to know I have helped the NHS during these difficult times.
The ten litres of solution was delivered just in time for a training session with medical staff who are being redeployed to clinical areas. There is also enough solution to share with colleagues at NUH and Sherwood Forest Hospitals. Carol Evans, IPC Lead, commented that the solution that was just finished was from 2008, from the SARs outbreak, so it lasts a long time!
John Williams is Head of Procurement for Nottinghamshire Healthcare: “Thanks to Simon for taking up the challenge! It’s very much appreciated. We can’t thank everyone enough who is helping the NHS at the moment – it means a great deal to us all.”
Story credits
More information is available from Simon Langley-Evans at Simon.Langley-Evans@Nottingham.ac.uk or Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the 糖心原创, on +44 (0)115 74 86462 or jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.