Barbour switches from wax jackets to medical gowns: British fashion brand turns factory into PPE production line for NHS staff battling coronavirus

  • World famous clothing firm is working with Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle 
  • Navy blue gowns arrive in Barbour packaging with Royal stamp of approval 
  • Social media users have rushed to praise the company, based in Jarrow 
  • Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID

By Sebastian Murphy-bates For Mailonline

Published: 14:58 BST, 13 April 2020 | Updated: 16:54 BST, 13 April 2020

NHS workers have thanked luxury clothing brand Barbour for turning its factory into a production line for PPE and delivering gowns to North East hospitals.

The world famous clothing company tasked its workforce with turning out garments to support local NHS Trusts in the fight against COVID-19.

Working with the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, its factory on Bede Industrial Estate in Jarrow, South Tyneside, has made a quantity of disposable gowns which have now been delivered to grateful staff.

The navy blue gowns arrived in Barbour branded packaging, stamped with the Royal seal of approval

The navy blue gowns arrived in Barbour branded packaging, stamped with the Royal seal of approval

Pictured: A file image of a Barbour waxed jacket as it changes tack to churn out PPE for nurses and other healthcare professionals

Pictured: A file image of a Barbour waxed jacket as it changes tack to churn out PPE for nurses and other healthcare professionals

Pictured: A file image of a Barbour waxed jacket as it changes tack to churn out PPE for nurses and other healthcare professionals 

The navy blue gowns arrived in Barbour branded packaging, stamped with the Royal seal of approval.

Dr Alice Wort tweeted: ‘Thank you @Barbour. You thoroughly deserve these royal crests. The quality of these new gowns is amazing. They mean so much to our staff. Proud of our British manufacturers.’

Pictured: The Barbour factory in Jarrow, which is now turning out the gowns for NHS workers

Pictured: The Barbour factory in Jarrow, which is now turning out the gowns for NHS workers

Pictured: The Barbour factory in Jarrow, which is now turning out the gowns for NHS workers 

Deputy Director of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead added: ‘Much excitement at receipt of our first batch of ‘by royal appointment’ gowns from @Barbour – thank you so much, we especially love the proper Barbour cuffs!

‘Fantastic to see how the whole region is working together to support NHS.’ And microbiologist Lucía Pareja Cebrián said: ‘Fantastic support from @Barbour delivering superb gowns for our frontline staff @NewcastleHosps. Really grateful for their time and effort, helping us save lives.’

Barbour has teamed up with the Royal Victoria Infirmary on its first batch of gowns (file image of a Barbour jacket)

Barbour has teamed up with the Royal Victoria Infirmary on its first batch of gowns (file image of a Barbour jacket)

Barbour has teamed up with the Royal Victoria Infirmary on its first batch of gowns (file image of a Barbour jacket) 

Barbour will now move to a larger scale production of gowns and scrubs for the RVI and other North East NHS trusts to support frontline medical staff who are in urgent need of these items.

Company chairman, Dame Margaret Barbour, said: ‘Everyone has a role to play in fighting COVID-19 and I wanted my daughter Helen and I to play our part by turning our South Shields factory over to produce PPE product for the NHS.

‘Our staff’s welfare is our most important priority and we have undertaken a strict risk assessment to ensure we adhere to social distancing and that they are fully protected whilst undertaking this important role.

‘I am very grateful to my staff for their overwhelming support. The factory, where we normally make our classic wax jackets is no stranger to adaptation.

‘During both World Wars, we turned the factory over to make military garments to assist the war effort.

Nurses have been pictured wearing clinical waste bags on their heads at Northwick Park hospital, which declared an emergency in late March when it ran out of critical care beds

Nurses have been pictured wearing clinical waste bags on their heads at Northwick Park hospital, which declared an emergency in late March when it ran out of critical care beds

Nurses have been pictured wearing clinical waste bags on their heads at Northwick Park hospital, which declared an emergency in late March when it ran out of critical care beds

‘We are pleased to once again be able to make a difference and this time, to support the NHS.’ 

The government stated that current PPE supplies have been supplemented by £1.2million worth of goggles and masks donated by companies including B&Q. 

Twenty four healthcare workers have died after contracting covid-19 as the Health Secretary Matt Hancock came under fire for the lack of PPE available to workers. 

Earlier in the crisis before private firms stepped in nurses were pictured wearing clinical waste bags on their heads and feet at Northwick Park hospital, in Harrow, London, as it was overwhelmed by coronavirus patients. 

Desperate nurses continue to issue an urgent pleas for proper masks, gowns and gloves amid fears of an inadequate supply.

Yesterday The Royal College of Nursing told nurses they can refuse to treat coronavirus patients if there is inadequate personal protective equipment.  

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