Pennine working with Cabinet Office to supply face coverings

Medical products manufacturer Pennine Healthcare has revealed it is working with the UK Cabinet Office to produce UK-manufactured face coverings.

The disposable, single-use face coverings are part of a £14 million government investment to help in the fight against Covid-19.

Millions of coverings can be produced on a weekly basis at Pennine Healthcare’s Derby facility at City Gate Business Park.

They are tested and approved by the British Standards Institution under the new-face covering Kitemark scheme.

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The investment in the coverings aims to ensure that all members of the public have access to high quality face coverings, without putting extra pressure on NHS supply chains.

Pennine Healthcare will be supplying both public and private sector buyers, while also stocking face coverings and other PPE products on its consumer website – www.arma-health.com.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, said: “This is a major step to ensure that this country can meet any increase in demand for face coverings by working with British firms to establish the capability, capacity and skills required to manufacture these items at scale.

“These production lines will be able to get millions of face coverings to the public, without putting any additional pressure on NHS supply chains.”

Government guidance to the public encourages the wearing of face coverings in enclosed public spaces, where it is less easy to socially distance, or where you are more likely to come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

Luke Fryer, chief executive at Pennine Healthcare, said: “I’m delighted that we are working with the Cabinet Office to help in the fight against Covid-19.

“The face coverings are made on-site, here at Pennine, and we’re only a handful of businesses able to produce the coverings here in the UK – with specialised machinery now installed in our clean room.

“I’m also delighted that the critical materials for the manufacture of these coverings are also sourced from UK manufacturers.”