Indian Covid-19 crisis sees Head of Clinical Engineering provide help and support
As the Covid-19 crisis unfolds in India, the Head of Clinical Engineering at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, is helping to explain to medical professionals there how to use unfamiliar donated equipment.
Professor Dan Clark OBE, who is a member of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), is working with the Global Clinical Engineering Alliance to help people in India deal with donated medical equipment they have not used before.
The Alliance is setting up a rapid ‘match-maker’ service to put Indian engineers in touch with other colleagues around the world who have experience of using particular items and who can provide appropriate service and advice, to help the country deal with the pandemic.
It is also looking for volunteers from UK clinical engineering centres and networks that have experience of commissioning a range of equipment which has been supplied by the UK Government to the Indian Red Cross in Delhi. In addition, the Alliance is looking for resources such as enhanced commissioning guides and clinical application notes, training materials, tips on how to use the equipment safely and technical support.
Professor Clark, Head of Clinical Engineering at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "I would like to thank everyone who has contacted me with offers of support and medical materials. I’m working with international colleagues to find the best way to make these available to our Indian colleagues to help them manage the donated equipment - it's a challenge, but anything we can do to help, even in a small way, could be so vital, so please do keep them coming."
Professor Stephen O’Connor, IPEM’s President, said: "Once again IPEM’s clinical engineering expertise is swinging into action to aid those suffering from Covid-19. Dan Clark and his team in Nottingham were at the forefront of technology assessment and allocation during the UK pandemic.
"His group are now leading the drive for the donation of appropriate and usable equipment to help with the dreadful Covid-19 situation in India as well as assisting Indian colleagues with remote training."
Professor Clark was made an OBE in the New Year’s Honours for his outstanding response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK, when he established and led a national team evaluating non-standard ventilators and infusion devices on behalf of the Cabinet Office, the RAF, NHS England and NHS Improvement, and the Department of Health and Social Care.
If you are able to help, please contact Professor Clark at Daniel.clark@nuh.nhs.uk