@JMPSimor There were initially 2 UK producers, Smiths in Luton and Medtronics in NI.
Smiths formed a consortium with other UK manufacturers, shared its IP & has an order for 30k #ventilators, with an initial 5k to be delivered soon-ish (presumably part of the 12k that's really only 8k).
Smiths formed a consortium with other UK manufacturers, shared its IP & has an order for 30k #ventilators, with an initial 5k to be delivered soon-ish (presumably part of the 12k that's really only 8k).
@JMPSimor Smiths make the Parapac ventilator, which does not require external power & is intended for mobile use, such as in ambulances, BUT is not guaranteed to be suitable for longer-term use.
Medtronic (Galway) make Puritan Bennett PB980 & PB840 ventilators for critically ill patients.
Medtronic (Galway) make Puritan Bennett PB980 & PB840 ventilators for critically ill patients.
@JMPSimor Medtronic say, "Ventilator manufacturing is a complex process that relies on a skilled workforce, a global supply chain & a rigorous regulatory regime to ensure patient safety."
That's echoed in this article from the US perspective, but applicable in UK:
vox.com/recode/2020/3/…
That's echoed in this article from the US perspective, but applicable in UK:
vox.com/recode/2020/3/…
@JMPSimor Medtronic is doubling its production capacity, and the progress of that increase so far is about 40%. (It involves moving staff from other sites and training.)
That brings us to OxVent, a new ventilator developed from scratch with locally sourced parts & input from anesthetists.
That brings us to OxVent, a new ventilator developed from scratch with locally sourced parts & input from anesthetists.
@JMPSimor Another prototype ventilator has been developed by G-tech, a vacuum cleaner producer based in Worcestershire.
Same caveats about testing apply:
bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-eng…
Same caveats about testing apply:
bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-eng…
@JMPSimor Last but not least: Dyson's CoVent (appears to have been designed for the company by The Technology Partnership in S. Cambridgeshire).
UK order for 10k units is subject to passing medical tests. The idea that would occur, a prod-line be up & running and 1st units in 2wks = 💩
UK order for 10k units is subject to passing medical tests. The idea that would occur, a prod-line be up & running and 1st units in 2wks = 💩
@JMPSimor #VentilatorGate is really about timing - why are we so damn late getting orders in? For example, Germany placed an order for 10k ventilators on March 15th.
Also, cronyism — IF established makers of tried/tested/approved #Ventilators are being turned down to favour Tory donors.
Also, cronyism — IF established makers of tried/tested/approved #Ventilators are being turned down to favour Tory donors.
@JMPSimor Finally #VentilatorGate is abt #BrexitOverBreathing, w/Johnson turning down participation in the EU procurement & sharing project (that wld've solved our PPE problem too) for ideological reasons.
"Didn't get the email" exposed as a lie by clips of Hancock on #bbcqt last wk.
"Didn't get the email" exposed as a lie by clips of Hancock on #bbcqt last wk.
@JMPSimor **UPDATE**
I find this news absolutely astonishing. Suspicions of #COVID19cronyism will surely not just grow legs, but also wings after this...
I find this news absolutely astonishing. Suspicions of #COVID19cronyism will surely not just grow legs, but also wings after this...
