The University of Liverpool is providing accommodation for front line NHS staff working at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some workers have already moved into Melville Grove halls of residence, which is situated near to the hospital on the outskirts of the city centre.
Melville Grove has been made exclusively available to NHS staff during this time and the University’s Residential Services team is working closely with the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on the initiative.
“We are keen to make the stay as comfortable as possible for NHS workers during this busy and unsettling time,” says Katy Lemmon, Accommodation Manager. “We’ve provided bedding and kitchen essentials, for example.”
Social distancing measures are in place at the site to ensure a safer living environment. These include ensuring each flat is not full to capacity, a ‘one in one out’ policy for communal areas such as kitchens and laundry rooms, and a remote, contactless booking and check-in system.
The University of Liverpool is working to support the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic in a range of ways.
This includes repurposing equipment, such as oxygen compressors, for NHS use, and opening up University car parks to NHS staff.
Many clinical academics have returned to front-line medicine, as well as final year medical students volunteering to support patient care at local hospitals. Thousands of medical students and staff are supporting in non-clinical areas, such as providing childcare for key workers and food distribution across the city.
Engineers at the University are using their expertise in 3D printing and laser cutting technologies to produce protective visors for staff in local hospitals.
Professor Dame Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Liverpool said: “I am very proud that our University is supporting the NHS through these unprecedented times in many different ways, including welcoming front-line staff into our accommodation. We will continue to work alongside the NHS as it rises to the challenges of dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in our city region.”
Dr Clare Morgan, Director of Strategy at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Partners from across the city have united to help tackle the pandemic and by working with the University we are able to provide city centre accommodation for our frontline staff. This is making a real difference and helps ensure that we give the best possible care to patients and the best possible support to our staff.”
For more information on the University’s COVID-19 response, visit our COVID-19 hub.