During the Covid-19 crisis, Network Rail staff in the North East are supporting the NHS by donating spare PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to the hospital staff at Hexham General Hospital.

In Newcastle, members of Network Rail’s Operations team have an essential role to play in keeping the railway running efficiently. People such as Doctors and Nurses can use the railway to go from home to work and back.

Additionally, the railway is used to make sure that essential food, medical supplies, and fuel can continue to be transported by freight services across the country.

Local Operations Manager, Chris Thomas, Operations Manager, Mick Hodgson, Mobile Operations Manager, Craig Jackson and Signaller, Jamie Seaton, wanted to do more to help NHS staff in the area alongside helping to keep the railway running.

Jamie approached his fellow colleagues due to his wife, Laura Seaton, working at Hexham General Hospital.

The team at Network Rail worked together to supply spare PPE and delivered 60 bodysuits and 44 safety glasses to the hospital. Now NHS staff are being protected on the frontline from Coronavirus patients.

Chris Thomas, Local Operations Manager for Network Rail, said: “I’m so proud that my team and I could act quickly to deliver this vital equipment to where it is needed during these challenging times. Staff at Hexham General Hospital have thanked us, and it’s great to know the equipment is being used by the amazing frontline workers in our local area. As we continue to work hard to keep the railway running, it’s great to see so many people across Network Rail getting involved and showing their support for the NHS.”

Marion Dickson, Executive Director for Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health Professionals, Surgery and Community Services at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Network Rail for its support and to Laura Seaton for facilitating this for us. We are so grateful to the many individuals, businesses and organisations which have come forward to help their local NHS at this unprecedented time and to our staff who have often helped set these up through their links in the community. We are receiving personal protective equipment through the national NHS supply chain however we know there is a huge demand for supplies globally which is a challenge. This extra support is vital to keeping stocks flowing as we use hundreds of pieces of equipment every day across our trust.”

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