Van loads of essential medical supplies have been donated to hospitals in the Ukraine by the organisation that runs Whiston and St Helens hospitals.

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have joined forces with local support group Polskie Merseyside, who are co-ordinating efforts to get much needed aid to Ukraine. The donation of supplies, which were due to be withdrawn from circulation, includes PPE such as masks, gloves, aprons and alcohol gel and is set to leave England early next, arriving in the Ukraine by Good Friday.

Rowan Pritchard Jones, Medical Director, said:

“As a Trust, we have been in the extremely fortunate position that we have never run out of PPE throughout the pandemic, so when some of our stock was due to be decommissioned it was the ideal opportunity for us to offer support.

“Our staff are always looking for ways to help those in need, whether in our own community or further away, and this is one small way of helping our healthcare friends and colleagues in the Ukraine who are working tirelessly to care for those who are sick or injured. We send them our sincere well wishes.”

Martin Calka, Volunteer Co-ordinator from Polskie Merseyside, said:

“PPE is really in short supply in the Ukraine, and we can’t thank everyone here at the Trust enough for their fantastic support. It will leave our warehouse in Huyton early next week and will be in hospitals in the Ukraine before Easter. A massive thank you to everyone who has offered their support.”

(L-R) Rowan Pritchard Jones STHK Medical Director, Martin Kalka Polskie Merseyside, Michelle Dollin & Ben Clark STHK PPE Team