‘Game changing’ PPE has been developed to protect NHS staff in the fight against coronavirus.
Engineers from BAE Systems’ Submarines business, along with local company Lancastle and staff from University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT), have developed pioneering new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff on COVID-19 wards.
In just 11 months the project has gone from concept to the Morecambe Bay Hood gaining Health and Safety Executive (HSE) approval for use during the pandemic. BAE Systems and Lancastle have designed the hood free of charge, with the hoods being rolled out to hospital wards in Lancashire and south Cumbria over the next few weeks.
Developed to replace current PPE hoods, which were created for an industrial rather than a clinical environment, the Morecambe Bay Hood is less expensive, is fully cleanable, reusable and offers greater protection and comfort to healthcare workers as the hood is suitable for all face shapes and sizes.
The design – a full-face protective hood delivering a continuous stream of clean filtered air – significantly reduces ‘fogging’ and aids communication and empathy between healthcare staff and patients because facial expressions can be seen more clearly and lip-reading is easier.
Stuart Hosking-Durn, head of resilience and patient flow for UHMBT, said: “The dedication of our frontline workers has been instrumental in fighting COVID-19, but the Morecambe Bay Hood will be an absolute game-changer for us as we continue to care for patients, significantly improving comfort, durability and communication.
“It’s a UK success story, with our thriving tech sector supporting our frontline workers as they help our country to emerge from the pandemic. The hoods could be rolled out more widely across the UK and could enable the NHS to treat patients with infectious diseases more safely.”
The BAE Systems Human Factors team conducted trials at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), where NHS personnel undertook a simulation of critical activities. Their feedback on the concept and design was used to refine the final product which has been approved by the HSE and British Standards Institution (BSI) for use during the pandemic.
The project began after Stuart and the UHMBT team approached BAE Systems with a request to help design an air-fed mask, following the company’s successful deployment of 3D printed face shields and curtain hooks for the NHS Trust at the start of the pandemic.
Working with the Innovation Agency – the Academic Science Network for the North West Coast – a collaboration was formed to develop the upgraded PPE, which is equipped with an innovative air manifold system with special noise-reducing features, a large visor and a protective sheath that extends over the chest and back.
State-of-the-art 3D printing technologies were used throughout the prototyping process to accelerate its development and reduce costs and will continue to be used for production of the complex air manifold system.
Dr Sarah Price, consultant in palliative medicine at UHMBT, said: “One of the main things about the pandemic has been the coming together of people in an almost superhuman effort to create something that makes a difference – the Morecambe Bay Hood is a brilliant example of that.
“That human ingenuity, the willpower to make something happen, the belief that you can do it and to have that on our doorstep where it makes a real impact for people who work in the local health service, is fantastic.
“It feels safe to wear the Morecambe Bay Hood. It’s comfortable, easily cleanable and it means that the whole of your face is on show for those interactions that really matter. These things are real game-changers.”
Steve Timms, managing director of BAE Systems’ Submarines business, said: “We’re proud that we’ve been able to donate some of our technical expertise and more than 2,000 hours of voluntary work to help our community and society overcome this technical challenge at a time of real need.
“Throughout the pandemic, our employees have worked hard to help support a wide range of organisations and we’ll continue to play our part in helping where we can.”
Neville Clokey, owner of Lancastle, said: “It’s fantastic to be part of the team that has designed the Morecambe Bay Hood. My wife is a former nurse and both of our children were born at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary so it has been great to be part of this. There’s a feeling of satisfaction in being able to give something back.”
Dr Phil Jennings, Innovation Agency chief executive, said: “This innovation in PPE is a true example of collaborative working between local companies, the NHS and the Academic Health Science Network on an innovation which was designed with our NHS colleagues in mind, to protect them as much as the patients they care for.
“We’ve woven together a complex web of ideas, skills and specialisms from across the BAE Systems engineering team to deliver a product that will play a pivotal role in the fight against COVID-19.”
Aaron Cummins, chief executive of UHMBT, said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to BAE Systems, Lancastle and everyone who has put their heart and soul into the creation of fantastic Morecambe Bay Hood.
“We are humbled by their generosity, kindness and compassion towards our NHS colleagues and our patients. The Morecambe Bay Hood is a truly great thing to have come out of a time of extreme adversity and we will always be thankful for that.”
