GPs thank Hope Valley College for ‘brilliant’ effort making protective face masks

Cassie Jackson, 42, told how Eyam Surgery had been unable to source protective masks as they were not in the primary care sector.

She contacted the college after hearing they were manufacturing the visors - which cover and protect the entire face - for a hospital.

Mum-of-two Cassie, who jointly manages the surgery, said the face protectors would shield up to 16 GPs across three practices in the Hope Valley area - one of which in Bakewell deals specifically with respiratory patients.

Though they will help protect doctors and nurses from patients’ fluids during appointments the masks will be vital in keeping receptionists safe as well.

Cassie said the visors were arriving just as coronavirus cases were expected to peak.

She added: “We’re coping well at the moment but we’re expecting that to change over the next couple of weeks.

“We’re working face-to-face with 519 patients and the visors are a whole-face cover - which means we’ll be much safer in terms of fluids.

“This means our community matron can start going out to see extra care patients - it will be beneficial for everyone.

“We’re saying a massive thank you to the college for what they’ve done - they’ve done brilliantly.”

Hope Valley College says requests for the masks are coming in ‘thick and fast’ however they are in need of clear binding covers which are 200 micron or even thicker.

Suppliers who can help should email [email protected]

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