Smethwick company donates 500 protective coveralls to New Cross Hospital

Smethwick-based Supertouch handed over the items which offer protection from hazardous liquids and splashes – and will be used by non-clinical staff.

It comes after an employee spotted the Wolverhampton hospital's call for PPE in the Express & Star on April 15.

Matt Rushton, head of marketing at Supertouch, said: "New Cross Hospital has a special meaning for many Supertouch employees who live in the Wolverhampton area.

"As a PPE manufacturer, we have witnessed unprecedented demand for materials over the last few months.

"However, when it was brought to our attention that a local hospital was publicly calling out for much-needed supplies, the owners of the business immediately agreed to arrange for the donation of 500 coveralls to be delivered as a priority.

"While often used in non-medical applications, the much-needed coveralls that we have made available to hospital staff will hopefully provide a further layer of protection to a number of non-clinical employees who are working tirelessly to keep the site running."

NHS bosses had been forced to turn to local companies as part of an urgent appeal to ensure front line workers are protected.

The trust which runs the hospital said gowns, protective suits, hand gel, detergent wipes and scrubs were all "urgently needed".

Anyone able to support the hospital is asked to email rwh-tr.fundraisingteam@nhs.net with the subject title: URGENT PPE DONATION.