Small Opportunities saves lives by sharing protective clothing supplies with local healthcare providers
Small Opportunities, a Brighton-based care provider for young adults with learning disabilities, has generously donated much-needed protective clothing to two local healthcare providers – Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) and Oaklands Nursing Home in Hove.
At a time when the need for PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) has increased significantly, Small Opportunities has given 20 moisture repellent coveralls to KSS and a few coveralls and a box of protective gloves to Oaklands. Both organisations are extremely grateful to receive these vital items.
According to Dafydd Williams, Director of Small Opportunities, “The PPE shortage is seriously affecting healthcare providers – preventing them from being able to work at this really crucial time and even putting their lives in danger. As a care provider ourselves, Small Opportunities has a small stock of reserve PPE and, whilst we are doing all we can to protect our employees, we felt we could spare some equipment and give it to frontline care providers who are facing an unprecedented challenge at the current time.
Care organisations and healthcare providers who currently don’t have COVID-19 cases need to work together now and share resources where we can. With a stronger community-focused approach, we can get the limited PPE that’s currently available, to the organisations with an immediate need.
We are therefore delighted to have been able to support our local Air Ambulance and a local care home. Both organisations were very grateful to receive our protective clothing donations and both continue to provide an outstanding service in challenging times.”
David Welch, Chief Executive of KSS says, “The donation of PPE from Small Opportunities makes a huge difference to our ability to operate in today’s challenging environment. We are extremely thankful to Dafydd and his team for their generosity and selflessness. I hope that more organisations – including dentists, construction firms, decorators and metal workers – follow suit and donate any surplus equipment they currently have. Donations like this help to save lives.”
KSS would very much welcome any donations of disposable face masks that meet FFP3 standards, ideally fluid repellent, ‘Tyvek’ moisture repellent coveralls (or equivalent), single use or reusable face shields and 3M Versaflo respirator devices and accessories. If you have suitable equipment to donate, please email infogov@aakss.org.uk
About KSS
KSS announced its ‘outstanding’ CQC rating last week, having been rated ‘outstanding’ in all five of its inspection key lines of enquiry – it is the first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service to achieve this top rating in all categories. Operating out of Redhill Aerodrome and headquartered in Rochester, KSS provides world-leading pre-hospital emergency care whenever and wherever required to save lives and to enable the best possible patient outcomes. Covering Kent, Surrey and Sussex, KSS serves a population of 4.8 million plus those who travel through the area – one of the busiest in the UK. Its crews of pilots, doctors and paramedics fly over 2,500 missions a year, and it was the first, and only, UK Air Ambulance to operate its helicopters 24/7. Of the more than £14m needed to sustain the service each year, 89% is raised by public donation and fundraising.
Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex
@airambulancekss
