A SOUTHAMPTON-based healthcare provider is donating 48,000 face masks to local charities during the coronavirus crisis.

Millbrook Healthcare has vowed to donated 48,000 medical face masks to Hampshire charities to help them get back in their feet after months of closures due to the pandemic.

The healthcare provider continued to provide the essential community equipment service on behalf of the NHS and social care.

They introduced strict PPE and social distancing guidelines, to ensure the staff continued to deliver a safe service.

Throughout the pandemic, the procurement team has worked tirelessly to ensure everyone has the PPE stocks that they need.

However throughout the crisis many charities have struggled to find PPE for staff.

Millbrook Healthcare uas vowed to help local charities across the country by donating 48,000 face masks.

Phil Elkin, Group Procurement Director at Millbrook Healthcare, visited Naomi House Hospice to hand over face masks.

Mr Elkin said: “During the Coronavirus pandemic our priority has been to maintain the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and our service users, by having the PPE stocks required.

“We’re pleased that we’re able to donate some of this equipment to charities that need support in the communities that we are proud to be a part of.”

Lesley Brook, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Care, Naomi House and Jacksplace, said: “One of the great challenges for us during the Covid-19 crisis has been maintaining a steady supply of personal protective equipment. It has taken a significant amount of staff time to source and secure everything from gloves to hand santiser, and especially masks.

"This hugely generous donation from Millbrook Healthcare offers us breathing space and gives us confidence that short-term availability of Type IIR masks will not impact our vital work caring for the region’s life limited children and young adults.”