Heathrow continues to support NHS

• Heathrow donates thousands of face masks and liquid security bags to local NHS teams to help in the fight against COVID-19.
• The airport has reached out to other local frontline organisations to offer further donations, recognising the ongoing need for key health workers across the UK to have access to specific PPE.

Heathrow Airport has donated 5,000 FFP3 face masks to NHS heroes at Ashford and St Peters Hospital, as the country continues its fight against COVID-19. The airport is reaching out to local frontline organisations to offer the stock of FFP3 masks and liquid security bags no longer needed following unprecedented declines in passenger numbers. Sixty thousand liquid bags have also been delivered to NHS teams at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust so they can safely & easily store critical supplies within clinical areas. 

Heathrow is working closely with Public Health England to ensure the airport continues safe operations for repatriation and cargo flights carrying Brits returning home and frontline medical equipment. Last week a record-breaking 674 cargo-only flights arrived at the airport carrying some of these vital supplies and 41 repatriations flights are expected this week.

Associate Director of Procurement, Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Alex Williams said:

“The generosity of businesses from our community has been truly amazing, we are very grateful for the donation of FFP3 masks given to support our staff. These masks are key items of PPE, used 24 hours a day by our doctors and nurses treating patients in intensive care. 

Head of Emergency Planning & Resilience, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, James Mason said:

“I would like to thank Heathrow on behalf of the Trust for their support in donating liquid bags to Watford General Hospital. These bags will be used to ensure our staff are able to safely store clinical supplies within our wards and departments and continue to provide high quality care to our patients.”

Heathrow’s very own frontline heroes continue to help passengers and precious cargo make their essential journeys safely by following the guidelines of Public Health England, including social distancing, excellent hygiene and regular deep cleaning. Heathrow colleagues are also being offered face masks, protective screen barriers, hand sanitisers and regular briefings to ensure safety concerns are addressed immediately. 

Chief Operating Officer at Heathrow, Emma Gilthorpe said:

“In these unprecedented times we have a responsibility as a major employer in the local community to step up and do our bit where we can. This extends outside of our boundary fence and donating surplus supplies that are useful to our local hospitals is part of this.