At the very start of the lockdown, the UK Government was quick to build a number of Nightingale Hospitals as part of contingency plans to treat COVID-19 patients. Saniflo, one of the UK’s leading supplier of pumps, macerators and showers, remained open throughout to provide an urgent supply of pumps and shower cubicles for the conversion of exhibition centres and sporting venues into covid wards. The company also provided round-the-clock support for existing hospitals that also expanded their own facilities to cope with additional demand. Saniflo products were used in the creation of accommodation units for on-site medical teams, for the installation of hand washing basins throughout hospital wards and to facilitate temporary food preparation areas for patients and staff. All scenarios required pumps for the discharge of waste because gravity drainage wasn’t an option.
A mix of products was rushed out to assist the conversions. This included some 100 Sanivite and Sanispeed pumps for the temporary hospital at Cardiff Arms Park. Both pumps are designed to pump away grey waste water from a kitchen setting – domestic or commercial and were used to pump water away from temporary kitchen sinks in catering areas. However, they also proved ideal for taking waste from sinks on hospital wards. Regular handwashing with soap has remained a key message for hospital staff and the public alike and remains so whilst the virus is present.
At the Harrogate Conference Centre a number of extra bathroom facilities were installed with the help of Sanifo’s Sanicubic 2 Pro lifting stations. Black and grey water waste from multiple WC’s, basins and showers can be pumped into the unit’s 45 litre tank and then discharged horizontally or vertically if required (up to 13m). With two motors the Sanicubic provided a fail-safe option – a key criterion for the temporary hospitals. A number of Sanicom lifting stations were also used in the Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate to remove hot water waste from sinks and basins dotted throughout the converted space.
Sister brand to Saniflo, Kinedo, supplied over one hundred Consort shower cubicles to hospital settings in the early days of the pandemic. A number of these were used by container manufacturers who quickly produced temporary changing rooms for hospital staff to use before and after work. Each container featured two of the robust Consort showers – placed apart to facilitate social distancing. Super quick to install, highly durable and easy to maintain the Consort was specified as part of a safe space for staff that included lockers, benches and racking.
The portable containers were supplied to each Pennine Acute Trust hospital – Fairfield, Oldham Royal, Rochdale Infirmary and North Manchester General – and continue to be used by the staff on a daily basis.
The Kinedo factory has now partly repurposed its factory in France to produce glass protection screens for settings including hospital reception areas, cafes and waiting rooms. The screens can be sited on the floor or desk-mounted and provide a warp-free, long lasting solution that, unlike plastic, never discolours. Protective screens provide peace of mind for staff and patients that risk of infection is minimised and are now in demand as lockdown eases.
For more information on all Saniflo and Kinedo products please visit: www.saniflo.co.uk and www.kinedo.co.uk
