Cumbrian designer produces thousands of face shields to protect health care workers

A Cumbrian designer has turned his workshop into a production line for PPE for the NHS and care workers.

The masks that John Stynes Designs make are already being used in hospitals and care homes across Cumbria with orders now flooding in from all over the country.

One of the key features of the design is that the products can be sterilised and reused repeatedly, giving them a longer life on the frontline.

The company normally designs and manufactures for theatres and exhibitions, but has now turned their hand to produce more than 2,000 PPE shields.

"You wouldn’t believe how pleased care home staff are to receive these simple pieces of plastic", John said.

"Half are going to care homes and the other half is going to the NHS. We also the North East ambulance service approached us. We're having to put them back until next week.

"Great Ormond Hospital in London and the NHS Nightingale hospital have also been in touch, and another five NHS services. They're all short of PPE."

John has made his design available online, which means manufacturers from around the world can use the template to make more visors for those who need them most.

He said: "The amount of different countries approaching me asking for the design to copy it. I've been in touch with a company from New York and sent them all the designs so they can start production this week"

They were also recently approached by the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle to design a cartoon-themed face shields that were less frightening for children and dementia patients.

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The company has designed cartoon-themed visors. Credit: John Stynes

Organisations representing hospital trusts have today criticised the Government over its promise of more personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers on the frontline.

Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said there was "relatively low confidence" that a shipment of 400,000 surgical gowns which had been due to arrive in the UK from Turkey on Sunday would make its way into the country on Monday.

He said trusts are being forced into "hand-to-mouth" workarounds, including washing single-use gowns and restricting stocks to key areas.

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