County firm makes scrubs for NHS frontline staff

Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport Lee Waters has revealed that crucial work to produce much-needed medical scrubs for the NHS is under way in Denbighshire. Workplace Worksafe in Ruthin has 13 machinists back from furlough working on assembling scrubs and is one of three sites in Wales involved in the project.

When the Welsh Government was notified that the Far East and sub-continent would be partially closing down production at the end of March as a result of coronavirus, it took immediate action to secure a large amount of fabric from within the UK market so that it could be used to produce up to 2,500 scrubs per week in Wales. The Welsh Government passed the fabric it has purchased straight to Alexandra, a UK based company that supplies the NHS with scrubs but is heavily reliant on overseas markets for both material and production. As Alexandra were low on supplies, they were more than happy to take this material on. The Welsh Government then linked Alexandra with Welsh business and social enterprises that could assist with the sewing of garments and production is now underway at three sites across Wales. Apart from the one in Ruthin, these are Elite Clothing Solutions in Ebbw Vale and Bridwaith on Anglesey. All their employees are now back to receiving full pay. Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport Lee Waters, who has responsibility for the Valleys Taskforce, said: “Ensuring our healthcare heroes have the equipment they need to do their jobs at this unprecedented time is of paramount importance. “We are working hard to supply the NHS as it provides high-quality care for people with coronavirus, and we will continue to do so. “We have also been able to foster an opportunity to secure supply of much needed material and join together three Welsh enterprises to join us in fighting this national health crisis. “Together, we will continue to protect frontline staff and in turn help them save lives.”