A huge milestone has been passed as Manchester and Trafford continue to support their most vulnerable residents throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
This week the one millionth piece of PPE (personal protective equipment) was distributed through the Manchester and Trafford PPE Mutual Aid Hub.
The hub is an emergency service based on the urgent supply of PPE equipment to ensure key workers have the protection they need to continue providing essential services. For almost a month the Hub has been working to provide equipment to staff working in health and social care throughout the two boroughs.
The dedication and hard work of the Hub project team in challenging circumstances has resulted in the distribution of 1,014,487 items of PPE in 847 parcels since the Hub became operational on March 31.
This week Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese visited the Hub, seeing the shipment containing the one millionth item leave for delivery.
He said: “In response to the pandemic there have been so many Mancunians going above and beyond to protect the lives of others.
“While we have rightfully celebrated the efforts of frontline workers, the staff here at this Hub deserve just as much recognition for the role they are playing. The ongoing struggle nationally to secure huge PPE has been well documented, so for the team to source and process such a huge amount of equipment in such a short space of time is an incredible feat.
“Without them key workers across Manchester would not have the protective equipment they need to continue doing their jobs. For that we should not only be grateful, but proud of the essential work they continue to do week in week out.”
Trafford Council Leader Cllr Andrew Western said: “There are so many unsung heroes involved in the Hub, working tirelessly to make sure our frontline staff receive the right protective equipment so they can do their jobs in really challenging circumstances and I cannot thank them enough.
“The PPE situation has not been without its challenges nationally, but this is a great example of partnership working between two councils which is benefiting our staff and allowing them to deliver essential services to some of our most vulnerable residents.”
