When the pandemic hit, there was suddenly a significant need for a range of basic medical products, including face masks. Rallying to a call for support, traditional manufacturing and industrial businesses across the UK adapted their production lines to support the collective effort.
In South Yorkshire, one of these businesses to step up the NHS’ request for help was Bluetree Medical, who took advantage of a spare warehouse unit and a company determination to not only set up, but continue to invest in and grow, a face mask manufacturing arm to their business.
This wasn’t just a quick fix setup in the back of their minds though, either. As Managing Director Jon Constantine-Smith explains, there was a deep commitment to doing things the right way – and first and foremost, that meant involving healthcare professionals in the design and delivery process.
Speaking on Episode 26 of NHE’s Finger on the Pulse podcast, he said: “Jon Constantine-Smith, Managing Director of Bluetree Medical, recounts: “Our key focus is making products with [input from] healthcare professionals and we feel if we do that right we’re going to also cover a majority of the population.
“We really want the future to be in transparent masks.
“Our involvement with Alder Hey came when one of our founders was introduced, and they were really impressed with how quickly we’d transformed the business and taken a product to market.
“Working with them has been fantastic. They’ve given us real insight into things we just wouldn’t think of as a manufacturer – it’s critical to have that healthcare professional’s perspective.”
Listen to the full Episode 26 of NHE’s Finger on the Pulse podcast with Jon Constantine-Smith:
