University staff have 3D-printed hundreds of face shields to protect hospice workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Colleagues at the University of Kent have designed and manufactured the vital personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees at Pilgrims Hospices.

The Canterbury-based hospice charity is the largest in east Kent, employing more than we have over 200 Pilgrims nurses and therapists who support thousands of terminally ill people each year.

When it put out an urgent appeal for donations of PPE to help protect its staff, the University of Kent was quick to respond.

Colleagues from the institution's schools of computing; architecture and planning; and engineering and digital arts (EDA) collaborated to design and supply 300 sets of personal protective equipment which have now been delivered to the charity.

Paul Sinnock, director of IT for EDA and the technical lead of the project, said: "The response from everyone involved in this project has been truly remarkable.

"Technical staff from across the University have been working around the clock to design, test and manufacture these face shields and get them to the front line staff most in need of protection.

"From the original concept through to the creation of a dedicated manufacturing centre, it has been a truly collaborative effort, driven by a real passion to support our local community.

"I am extremely proud of everyone involved for giving their time and skills for such an important project."

Sarah Martins, senior ward sister at Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury, added: "The team responded to feedback from prototype testing immediately - within 24 hours we had approved changes and the team started production.

"With a total turnaround time of seven working days, I took delivery of 300 face shields and distributed them across our three sites so we were all well prepared for the bank holiday.

"Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen, it makes a huge difference to the patients and staff here at the Hospice and enables us to continue caring without compromising safety."

The materials for Pilgrims Hospices’ 3D shields were donated by Ashford Lions Club, with funding they received from Kent County Council.

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