Notre Dame staff take on PPE production for NHS

Members of staff at Notre Dame High School have been busy producing PPE for the NHS and other frontline workers. Jane Buck, Head of Technology at Notre Dame, reports.

In March we became aware of an appeal sent out by the University of East Anglia (UEA) Research team.  They were requesting support from companies and establishments who have access to 3D printing to print PPE components for the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust (NNUH).

Rachel Holden, a Design and Technology teacher at Notre Dame High School, registered with the UEA to help with the production of the 3D printed essential parts. The Design and Technology department joined forces with Hexatomic, a local engineering design company.  In addition to the 3D printers owned by the department, Hexatomic kindly supplied us with two additional 3D printers that have a printing bed large enough to produce the visor shield frames; this has enabled us to maximise production. 

The 3D printers have been printing around the clock and to date we have supplied 1600 visor shield frames, which have all been manufactured according the specification provided by the UEA.  The team at the UEA then add the visor shield to the frame and closely liaise with NNUH to ensure the products meet the required standards.

Ear Comfort Bands have also been manufactured using the 3D printers from Notre Dame High School. We have also had support from the Norwich branch of Royal College of Midwives who have also purchased PLA filament to ensure production has been able to continue.

In addition to 3D printing components for PPE, members of staff across Notre Dame High School have also been busy sewing for the NHS and other key workers. This has included making scrubs, face masks, uniform wash bags and headbands. 

We are extremely grateful to lots of staff and members of the wider Catholic community who have also contributed to the effort by donating fabrics such as bed sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases. Thank you to all involved.

Pictured above is some of the production equipment and the PPE produced by Notre Dame High School

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