Hopefully, as the second week of the new measures to stop the spread of Coronavirus comes to an end, we are all adjusting to the unprecedented impact on our lives.
Currently, my office are working remotely from home, and we are still working hard to support residents. Last week I even gave evidence at a Select Committee meeting via video link - which was a first for Parliament! (Thankfully the technology held up!)
I have been very impressed with Swindon Borough Council’s response to this significant challenge. They have been working with their voluntary sector partners, including Voluntary Action Swindon, to pool resources and create a collective community response.
In just a week, a very effective network has been established to ensure that support reaches vulnerable people and high-risk individuals who have been identified for shielding and are currently in self isolation.
Sue Wald, the Corporate Director of Adult Social Services and Health at Swindon Borough Council (SBC) and Pam Webb at Voluntary Action Swindon (VAS), have been extremely helpful to both myself and Robert Buckland MP when we have referred residents who require support to them.
Anyone who requires support can ring SBC on 01793 445500, where they will receive either support directly or signposting to appropriate organisations - including Government support (in the form of packages of food and essential supplies) for those who are extremely vulnerable, VAS for others, or befriending services for those self-isolating alone.
I have also been extremely pleased to see such a strong response to the Government's appeal for businesses to support the production of ventilators.
The NHS currently has 8,000 ventilators - more than at the beginning of the outbreak, but we need more. To address this, the Government has been working with British manufacturers to support the production of additional ventilators.
A consortium of businesses, including Formula 1 teams, BAE Systems, Microsoft and Airbus, have come together to step up ventilator supplies to help support the NHS and save lives.
This weekend, the first batch of the Penlon ventilator device, which has been rapidly adapted from other existing ventilator designs, will be ready for dispatch. Following approval that the device meets the necessary safety requirements, potentially hundreds more will follow, alongside thousands of other new devices in the coming weeks.
A number of other British manufacturers have also started urgent production of new ventilators, designed from scratch, following efforts from the industry and Government to rapidly increase numbers available to the NHS.
In addition to this, a team led by UCL, working with Mercedes Benz, will also produce 10,000 new CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) devices. These devices will be able to provide oxygen to affected patients at an earlier stage, helping to avert the deterioration of their condition.
To help with producing the ventilators, the Government has waived import taxes on vital medical equipment – helping to speed up and increase the supply of critical items going to our frontline health workers, including ventilators.
I cannot stress enough the importance of following the Government's social distancing guidance, it really will save lives. Please only go outside for food, brief exercise, and health reasons. If you can work from home, please do so. If you do go out, stay 6ft away from other people at all times. Do not meet others, even friends or family - you can still spread the virus even without symptoms.
