Coronoavirus: Huge new order for 650 respiratory machines for NI hospitals

Responding to questions from the News Letter, Health Minister Robin Swann’s department said that in addition to the 40 extra ventilators which will be in place by next week, it was securing a far larger number of respiratory devices.

However, additional trained staff – as well as the machines – will also be necessary.

The department said: “Further work is under way to scope the full extent of critical care and other respiratory equipment as well as staffing required to ensure that we can respond to the potential number of people who will need such specialised care.

“To that end a further 650 units capable of providing respiratory support in both critical care and non-critical care settings are currently being procured.

“We are also working closely with NHS partners on a four-nation basis as part of the UK government’s national effort to ensure adequate supply of ventilators as required. Northern Ireland companies have responded to the national call for businesses to help make ventilators and ventilator components.

“The Department of Health has also been in contact with a company/manufacturer in RoI regarding ventilators and discussions are ongoing as to whether they will be appropriate for use here.”

The department said that the order of 650 units was made up of 100 mechanical ventilators, 250 non-invasive ventilators and 300 Airvo.

It said that it envisaged 250 units being used in critical care – 100 mechanical ventilators, 100 Airvo and 50 non-invasive ventilators – and 400 units (200 Airvo and 200 non-invasive ventilators) being used in pre- and post-critical care settings for the care of Covid-19 patients.

It is not clear when the 650 devices referred to by the department will be in place in hospitals.