University's urgent call for businesses to use machines to make ventilator parts

Thousands of businesses across England have responded to the government's request to manufacture parts for medical ventilators after earlier month it called on firms with relevant expertise to "help the country tackle this national crisis".

More than 30,000 machines could be needed for coronavirus patients across the UK.

The University of Bradford has confirmed to The Yorkshire Post it has machines that "could be used to make parts for ventilators and other high-tech components needed by our NHS".

David Barker, a technical service manager from the University of Bradford said: “We have a bank of high-spec machines ready at a moment’s notice.

"We have people who are prepared to come in and help.

"If they provide the design, we can supply the machine capability.”

The University of Bradford's plea comes after the government said a communications mix-up meant it missed the deadline to join an EU scheme to get extra ventilators for the coronavirus crisis.

The UK currently has 8,000 ventilators available and has placed orders for another 8,000 from existing manufacturers, but there are concerns about capacity in hospitals as the spread of the virus worsens.

The machines could be used to make parts for ventilators and other high-tech components needed by our NHS and the university are reaching out to national companies to offer assistance.

Dr Cristina Tuinea-Bobe, research and knowledge transfer business development manager at the University of Bradford, echoed the call out to industry.

"Our machines are available for manufacturing anything required for this difficult period," she said.

“We have huge experience with medical devices especially made in polymers, from optical to spinal to orthodontics,"

Dr Tuinea-Bobe said the machines have the capacity to mould from very small, high precision components to parts formed on high-speed, heavy industrial moulding machines.

"Some of our devices are enclosed in a clean-room environment, so they are suitable for medical manufacture," she said.

"If they require compounding or need to create a specific material and put antimicrobial powders in the polymers, we can help with that as well.”

The university already has a respected track record in developing cutting edge medical tools and implantable devices.

Dr Tuinea-Bobe added: “My message to manufacturers is to get in touch".

On 16 March the government called on the manufacturing sector "and all those with relevant expertise who might be able to help to come together to help the country tackle this national crisis".