A Scottish forces-friendly organisation has been playing its part in supporting patients during the Coronavirus pandemic by supplying 500 beds for temporary recovery centres.
Silver Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award holder, Highlander Outdoor, distributed the beds to be used in the facilities in Cumbria, England.
Military personnel have been providing assistance to authorities in Cumbria, helping to set up five temporary Patient Recovery Centres.
These facilities provide a half-way house for recovering COVID patients who have been discharged from hospital but are not yet well enough to return home. This has helped to free up 500 beds at frontline hospitals in the region.
The beds supplied by Highlander Outdoor – the organisation based in Livingston, West Lothian – are being used in the facilities in Carlisle, Whitehaven, Penrith, Kendal and Barrow for those recovering from the Coronavirus.
The five centres will each have a capacity of up to 100.
Managing Director of Highlander Outdoor, Ramin Golzari, said: “In these times of uncertainty and unease, I am impressed with the sense of community that is on display all over the country.
“Through our internal team going the extra mile and our customers who are doing their part, we are proud to play our small part in supporting patients during this difficult time.”
Soldiers from 32 Engineer Regiment and the Anzio Company 1st Battalion The Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment have been assisting the local authorities in Cumbria with their response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Local Resilience Forum in Cumbria submitted a MACA request for support in setting up additional recovery.
32 Engineer Regiment was involved in the planning process offering their knowledge and expertise; whilst two platoons from Anzio Company 1st Battalion The Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment have been delivering and setting up the beds.
Highlander Outdoor – which specialises in the designing and manufacturing of dependable camping and outdoor equipment – were among eight forces-friendly organisations to receive an ERS Silver award at an official awards ceremony in Edinburgh Castle, 1 November 2018.
Now in its seventh year, the ERS Silver Award rewards organisations which employ and support those who serve, veterans, and their families – typically by putting in place initiatives that make it easier to employ veterans, helping ex-forces personnel to transition into a civilian career or supporting Armed Forces Reservists to train and mobilise on active service.
All ERS Silver award winners are vocal supporters of the Armed Forces community in Scotland.
