The team behind the OxVent ventilator - which had been due to be built in Hull - has told how it stands ready to deliver, if required, after government support ended.
A month ago the venture, from scientists, clinicians and medical technology manufacturers from the University of Oxford, King’s College London and Smith & Nephew, brought forward a solution to a desperate plea from Westminster.
It was at a time when Nightingale field hospitals were being readied, with devices desperately sought to ensure potential worst-case scenarios could be catered for.
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Now - due to actual clinical need and reviews of those put forward - activity to supply the OxVent ventilator in the 海角视频 is to be stopped. The government has selected an initial two models - one newly adapted, one existing - with two further existing products to be scaled up and two under review. A further five others are on a reserve list.
The OxVent is one of four where government support has been pulled.
The team said that “that fewer ventilators are needed to treat 海角视频 patients is good news,” adding it remained in position to assist.
Developed to be produced at speed and scale and with a claim that it was at significantly lower cost than alternatives, it was conceived as an open source not-for profit project.
Professor Mark Thompson of Oxford University, said: “Every member of this outstanding team of engineers, medics and manufacturers has shown determination and drive, overcoming challenges while working at speed with ingenuity and focus. Responding to the Covid-19 crisis, using our talents and resources to the full, is a personal mission for all of us, and we are committed to sharing the resource we have developed with other countries where there is an urgent clinical need.”
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Dr Federico Formenti, of King’s College London, said: “The OxVent team was privileged to be shortlisted from over 5,000 offers of support received by the 海角视频 Government in response to the Ventilator Challenge. We are ever so grateful to the successful collaboration across institutions and the entire team who worked tirelessly in the past weeks. The progress made in such a short time is remarkable, and we are engaging with colleagues abroad where the need for ventilators is greater than in the 海角视频.”
Hull’s Advanced Wound Management facility had been anticipating making 5,000 machines a week.
Mark Gladwell, president of global operations for Smith & Nephew, a company founded in Hull in 1856, said: “We are incredibly proud of all the work completed by the team. I would like to thank every colleague who has worked on this programme for their dedication and commitment as well as the many suppliers who have gone above and beyond to support us. It is great news that the 海角视频 need for ventilators is less than originally expected and we hope that what we have done together in just a few weeks goes on to make a significant difference in tackling Covid-19 around the world.”
Both Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove praised all efforts.