Dumfries and Galloway College has stepped-up to help the local NHS combat COVID-19.
A series of practices have been put in place by the South of Scotland college to make sure the health service in the region has what it needs to fight the pandemic.
The college has provided remote working tools to the NHS so that key workers are able to do their jobs and help people, some of whom live in isolated rural areas.
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) staff at the college have also given support to ensure that calls can be handled remotely and have also offered to partner with the NHS to enable telephone desktop and other additional ICT support.
Extensive food supplies and cooking facilities at the college have also been offered up to the NHS, and other services such as the police and armed forces, to keep vulnerable people safe and their workers well-fed.
Dumfries and Galloway College has staff with a wealth of industry ready skills and at this time has released staff with nursing experience to return to the NHS.
To ensure the health of the region, Dumfries and Galloway College has also donated all unused hand sanitiser on its estate to Police Scotland and has made provision to distribute personal protective equipment to the resilience team in Stranraer.
Food supplies have also been bolstered by action from the college, with industrial stores of food dispersed to local vulnerable people via Food Train and the Galloway Action Team.
The college has also made its fleet of vehicles available to help distribute these vital deliveries.
Dumfries and Galloway College recognises its responsibility to the region and will continue to work with its partners in the NHS, and in all other organisations, to protect the health and well-being of people in the area.
Principal Joanna Campbell said:
“In these unprecedented times, the NHS in the South of Scotland can rely on Dumfries and Galloway College to stand behind it every step of the way.
“Whether it is to provide technology, food, facilities, or expertise, we’ll do whatever we can to help.
“Until we beat this virus, we urge our college community to follow the official advice and to stay home.”
