Covid-19: UCL provides vital resources to frontline NHS

UCL is taking steps to support the NHS tackle Covid-19 through the manufacture of crucial alcohol hand sanitiser and by the donation of thousands of pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, demand for alcohol-based hand sanitising products has rocketed. With shortages a real possibility, teams in UCL Chemistry and UCL School of Pharmacy are working to bridge any gap by manufacturing antimicrobial hand wash for use at UCLH. The first batch of hand sanitiser is in progress and will be distributed to UCLH following approval by the Health and Safety Executive. Appeals across UCL School of Life and Medical Sciences (SLMS) and UCL Chemistry have led to the donation of a range of essential PPE including face masks, eye protection equipment and nitrile gloves. These essential supplies and equipment have now been delivered to NHS coordination centres. In addition, in response to a plea by UK Government, multiple UCL departments have provided 16 sophisticated ThermoFisher virus detecting machines, which will enable thousands more people to be tested for Covid-19.