Local News

University and health trusts collaborating to accelerate genomic testing

Academics and clinicians across Devon and Cornwall are collaborating and innovating to improve testing capacity for COVID-19 in the region.

The University of Exeter is supporting the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E) and the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT), through loaning equipment and contributing world-class expertise to the renowned NHS teams working on the disease.

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Chris Poole, of Flybe, which was among the first businesses to come forward with a donation

Show of support for ‘true stars’ – more than 100 businesses across Devon share spare Personal Protective Equipment

More than 100 organisations across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay have shared personal protective equipment (PPE) to strengthen the supplies available to frontline carers in the county.

Last week, NHS and social care leaders in Devon wrote to businesses and organisations across the county encouraging them to share PPE they don’t need to bolster the national supplies that are being delivered to the area.

Among the businesses to step forward is Theatre Royal Plymouth, which has given items including gloves, splash suits and facial protection.

Ways to stay safe shopping during COVID-19

Everybody is ordered to stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Lockdowns mean that only limited trips outside the house are permitted. Namely, you’re allowed to shop at supermarkets and stores for essential items.

But the problem is, this means that your risk of catching the coronavirus may be present in stores. This means you need to be careful when you’re shopping. Here are some times on how you can stay safe.

Stay Two Metres Away from Shoppers

University of Exeter receives internationally-recognised award for high standards of health and safety

The University of Exeter has been awarded a major internationally-recognised award for high standards of health and safety.

The RoSPA Gold Health and Safety Award is given to world-leaders in health and safety practice. The award is the highest possible accolade in what is the UK’s longest-running health and safety industry awards.

Devon needs you: Get a job in health and social care

Devon residents including job seekers, students back from university, college leavers and former care and health staff are needed now to support the county’s most vulnerable.

Healthcare Assistants are a frontline role to support Devon's NHS and social care as coronavirus puts even greater pressure on existing services and staff.

Both temporary and permanent workers are needed to fill a variety of shift work, including evenings and weekends, in residential homes, hospitals and in people's own homes.

FabLab Devon step up to the PPE challenge

FabLab Devon, which is part of independent charity Libraries Unlimited, has answered the call for urgently needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required by all NHS frontline staff.

The first batch of visor attachments have been collected today and are being dispatched to NHS staff in the local area. FabLab Devon is working alongside a team of local volunteers to 3D print PPE visors.

Can electric scooters still be useful in 2020?

Electric scooters get overlooked quite often, either because they’re “too slow” or just because people feel like there’s a stigma against them. In reality, an electric scooter in an incredibly convenient way to get around, especially if you don’t have a car but need to move a lot of objects at once. But what kind of powered scooter should you get, and what makes them so useful?

Types of Electric Scooter

L-R: Capt. M.C.J. Thrift, J. Robinson, Freewheelers, R.M. Henderson

Freemasons keep the blood bikes on the move

At a dinner and dance which in masonic circles is known as a ladies night was held just before the coronavirus stopped us all meeting up in public, Per Mare Per Terram Lodge, the Royal Marine Lodge that meets in Exmouth raised £500 in aid of the Devonshire Blood Bikes, also called the Devon Freewheelers.

Housebuilder donates protective kit to local NHS

Regional housebuilder Persimmon Homes South West has stepped in to help the NHS by donating much-needed gloves and safety glasses.

Staff at Persimmon’s local office in Exeter have gathered all of the spare PPE normally used on building sites and handed it over to be utilised by doctors and nurses on the frontline as the battle against Covid-19 intensifies.

The equipment has been donated to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Rising research star at Exeter secures prestigious Biochemical Society award

A rising research star at the University of Exeter has received a prestigious national award, it has been announced.

Dr Faith Burden - Director of Research and Operational Support - The Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary donates personal protection equipment to local NHS

The Donkey Sanctuary has donated personal protection equipment (PPE) to local NHS teams and social care providers in the South West, to help them deal with the coronavirus outbreak

In line with government guidelines, the charity asked its non-donkey-facing staff to work from home, as a result of less people on its sites, the organisation had spare PPE that they have donated to NHS workers and local organisations and groups providing community health care.