MCR Services lends sewing machines to boost NHS gown production

A contract packing industry firm has lent its support to the NHS during the coronavirus emergency.

MCR Services has loaned two industrial sewing machines to aid production of protective medical gowns.

The machines are now being used in a manufacturing hub set up by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Cramlington, which is creating thousands of gowns every week for trust staff and healthcare workers across the North East and beyond.

Family-run MCR Services – which is based on Cramlington’s Bolam Business Park and is a sister company of Moody Logistics and Storage – is normally known for work including quality control inspection, sortation, labelling and packing.

However, Caroline Moody, group managing director, said it was delighted to have pivoted to help the NHS combat COVID-19.

She said: “This initiative is a great example of the NHS, local businesses and volunteers working together to achieve results.

“Everyone is tremendously grateful to all those dedicated staff in the NHS and we are pleased to do whatever we can to support them.

“In this case, it’s great to show our appreciation in a very practical way by producing protective gowns for those who are helping save lives.”

Paul Dunn, executive director of finance at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, added: “We would like to thank MCR Services for donating these sewing machines to us, which are being put to good use.

“We have had a huge, positive response from local businesses, organisations and partners and this is yet another example of the community pulling together to support us at this time.

“Not only are we producing gowns to protect our staff and patients, and those at trusts across the region, by setting up a sustainable supply chain, we are providing employment and helping to boost the local economy.”

Pictured is Matthew Fretwell, production supervisor at MCR Services, who contacted Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and arranged for the machines to be delivered