Mulberry produces reusable PPE gowns for frontline NHS workers in Somerset factories

  • WATCH: Somerset-born Mulberry produces thousands of reusable PPE gowns for NHS workers

World-famous fashion brand Mulberry is producing thousands of reusable PPE gowns in its two Somerset factories for hospitals across the region.

It follows a request from a Bristol doctor for items of personal protective equipment that do not have to be thrown away after one use.

The brand, known predominantly for its luxury leather handbags, is expecting to make nearly 10,000 gowns for people working on the NHS frontline over the coming weeks.

Some have already been sent to sites run by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust - which includes Weston General and Bristol Royal Infirmary.

The designer brand is expected to make 8,000 PPE gowns. Credit: ITV West Country

The gowns are being made with a fluid-resistant, washable material that allows them to be safely used more than once - in line with the government-issued guidelines for PPE.

It is hoped the company will soon be able to supply hospitals across the country from its factories in Bridgwater and Chilcompton.

Staff at Mulberry are also supporting local groups in Bristol who are making scrubs for NHS workers.

They are offering to cut large bits of fabric with their machinery before the scrubs are then stitched and dispatched by volunteers.

Staff are working in the two Somerset factories, following social distancing guidelines. Credit: ITV West Country

Companies, volunteer groups and households across the region have been making PPE for health workers since the start of the pandemic in March.

It follows widespread criticism from frontline workers about a lack of protective equipment while they are treating coronavirus patients.

One junior doctor from Bristol told ITV West Country that NHS staff feel "let down" by the Government.

READ MORE: THE WEST COUNTRY RALLIES TOGETHER TO PROVIDE PPE FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS