Army of volunteer sewers knit scrubs for NHS

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Wednesday 22nd April 2020

An army of more than 300 Scots are using their sewing machines to make scrubs for health workers across the country.

The team, which works closely with the NHS to make sure their products meet the required standards, has had more than 9,000 requests from hospitals, GPs and other healthcare staff.

For the Love of Scrubs say they have been getting “very desperate” requests from frontline staff who don’t have the right gear.

“I have just received a message from my colleague who has had a horrendous shift in the community to go to a patient who potentially is Covid-positive,” said an Ayrshire community nurse.

“She had to make a gown from a garbage bag! We have also had news from a meeting that if we do not attend a covid patient we may be disciplined. 

"This news is mental bordering on hilarity! We are cannon fodder sent into these patients with inadequate PPE.” 

Started by a bridal wear designer from Fife and with help from Holly Baxter-Wier of Fabric Bazaar and Clare Boyle of the Kind Earth Cro-op, a crocheting group, the machinists’ group has made more than 1,000 sets of medical garments.

Volunteers sign up through the website and make the clothing at home, which is then collected and delivered to hospitals.

Nearly £40,000 has been raised from public donations.

 

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