Tag Archives: PPE

NURSING homes across Clare to from benefit from a donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), secured after a fundraising drive coordinated by the Midwest Hospital Campaign. The initiative was prompted by concern at the start of the pandemic about the difficulty in accessing supplies of PPE, particularly for nursing homes and other congregated settings. “The donation will be especially important now that visiting has begun once again at nursing homes and there’s even more demand for PPE,” said Noeleen Moran, one of the coordinators. Some of the PPE was sourced through a network of contacts for manufacturers in Poland, while more was handmade by hundreds of individual volunteers and groups across Clare, including the Irish Countrywomen’s’ Association (ICA). Hilary Tonge of the Midwest Hospital Campaign said the effort to secure PPE had involved many groups and individuals from across the county. “When the pandemic was declared, there was a huge fear that there would not be enough PPE,” she said. …

AN Ennis company has joined the fight against Covid-19 by adapting sections of its production to begin making protective face shields. Cup Print, which normally produces sustainable paper cups, has begun production of PPE. With their core hospitality and catering sector clients preparing to reopen, the company says there is significant demand for protective face shields, particularly for safeguarding customers and employees that are not protected by Perspex screens or physical distancing barriers. Cup Print are already producing clear, full face visors for sizeable healthcare contracts and have capacity to expand the offering to both new and existing customers across the EU. They anticipate the face shields to complement ongoing orders for cups produced at their facility in Ennis. The Irish firm was founded in 2009 by businessman Terry Fox following the financial crisis. It now typically manufactures almost 10 million cups every month for coffee shops and bigger multinational clients. The company specialise in customised, short-run printing of paper …

THE importance of Shannon Airport for Clare was stressed in the Dáil last week, with calls for it to be helped through the Covid-19 crisis. “Shannon Airport is the driving force in Clare and the Mid-West Region. At this time of crisis, it has been deemed essential and has accepted many cargo flights of personal protection equipment, PPE. “When the crisis is over, there will be an acute need for the Department to provide the airport with a capital expenditure fund,” said Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe. “For too long, the airport has had to self-finance all major projects, including a recent €15 million upgrade of the runway. “All such outlays seriously eat into the airport’s financial resources meaning that it has very little funding left over for marketing the airport, attracting new routes and retaining existing routes. There is urgent action needed in that regard. “The funding needs to be ring-fenced for the airport to safeguard it in the …

THE plight faced during the lock-down by those with physical disabilities has been highlighted by front line workers with the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) in Clare. The IWA has developed a mobile outreach services to respond to the needs of 55 members, many of who are cocooning due to the increased risk to their health posed by Covid-19. The organisation has also raised concerns about the funds needed to keep its services in place, as key fund-raising, including its networks of shops, has been suspended. An emergency response team continues to reach people with disabilities and provide advice, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and services including shopping and bill payment. Coordinator of the service, Catherine Earley said the lock-down was severely affecting people with physical disabilities. “This is a very worrying time for people who use our services and are dependent on our assistance to allow them to remain living safely in their own homes,” she explained. “Many of them are aware that due …

A WEST Clare company that is steeped in tradition dating back hundreds of years has found itself diversifying radically to stay alive, and to serve the public during the Covid-19 pandemic. Kilkee Forge, which dates back to the 1700s, and is now run by fifth-generation blacksmith and industrial designer Conor Murray. With his normal bespoke commissions for sculptural projects and outdoor furniture drying up dramatically because of the Coronavirus restrictions, Conor identified a need for protective products for small businesses locally and drew on resources recently acquired by the businesses to create a new line of highly sought after products. “I had to pivot because while our regular lines of work were disappearing, new needs were arising,” he explained. “I could see that, in terms of the protective perspex sneeze guards, that the bigger shops and supermarkets were quickly looked after but the smaller ones weren’t. It seemed that, in West Clare in particular, smaller businesses were being left behind …

AN Ennis man living in London has been using his talents to ensure frontline staff at a hospital and care homes have access to protection against the spread of Covid-19. Eoin O’Sullivan, originally from the Golf Links Road has transformed his attic into a workshop where he has been making protective faceshields on 3D printers. He has been donating the much sought after equipment for free to a number of care homes and London’s St Helier’s hospital. The physics lecturer, a former pupil of Gaelcholaiste an Chláir, has been living in London for nearly four years and currently teaches at the University of Surrey. He explains that the idea came about when a friend of his, Jerry Naiker, told him about the shortage of protective faceshields at a local care home. “Jerry had a 3D printer at home but he knew I had a couple and asked if I’d be interested in producing them.” Since then the word has got …

THE Lions Club of Ennis are roaring in behind efforts to provide hundreds of thousands of face shields for frontline health workers throughout Ireland. Lions Clubs have pledged to raise up to €100,000 nationally to fund 200,000 ‘Hero Shield’ face visors which will be distributed free of charge to front line health workers throughout Ireland. Michael Neylon, president of Lions Club of Ennis has confirmed that the club will be getting involved with campaign, along with working to help local families in need as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Michael explains that all clubs in the district were contacted about the project and after remote consultation with members the Lions Club of Ennis will be making a donation. “At local level we have a few members engaging with vulnerable families who are in particular need during this Covid-19 crisis. We have also offered our services to the Clare County council Community Response group.” The project, led by James O’Sullivan …

THE world’s top band U2, is among those to come on board to fund a cargo plane of personal protection equipment (PPE) being brought from China to Ireland by Ennis man Dómhnal Slattery. Avolon, the aircraft leasing company owned by Mr Slattery, landed flight MSN 396 with a full consignment PPE at Dublin Airport last week. The A330 aircraft contained 40 ventilators, 1.1m exam gloves, 250,000 surgical masks, 60,000 medical goggles and 20,000 medical face shields. “We are confident the medical supplies as sourced by the HSE, PCH and Avolon are of the highest quality available and contain the CE marking,” said Mr Slattery. The well-known businessman gave a commitment to do even more in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. It has emerged that Bono, the Edge, Adam and Larry are among the individuals involved with Avolon on this project. U2 have committed €10m to the project and they have purchased the PPE that Avolon will fly from China …