MPs are resorting to Twitter in a plea for additional ventilators to support the additional pressure on the NHS from coronavirus.
In serious cases, coronavirus can attack the lungs of those infected, which can lead to respiratory failure, requiring a ventilator.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the UK currently has 5000 ventilators and added that it would need "many times more than that".
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In a tweet, Hancock called on manufacturers to support the production of ventilators.
Calling all manufacturers who can support our National Effort for #coronavirus ventilator production - to help, contact Government Business Support team: 0300 456 3565 / ventilator.support@beis.gov.uk
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) March 16, 2020
On the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Hancock said engineering firms should consider dedicating some manufacturing to help ramp up production for the vital healthcare equipment – something he accepted was a policy normally reserved for wartime.
Downing Street also announced it wants the UK's manufacturing sector to "come together to help the country".
The announcement added: "Preparing for the spread of the coronavirus outbreak is a national priority and we're calling on the manufacturing industry and all those with relevant expertise who might be able to help to come together to help the country tackle this national crisis.
"We need to step up production of vital equipment such as ventilators so that we can all help the most vulnerable, and we need businesses to come to us and help in this national effort."
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"We need to step up production of vital equipment such as ventilators so that we can all help the most vulnerable, and we need businesses to come to us and help in this national effort."
Tory MP Bim Afolami joined the call asking for a "national effort" in ventilator production.
The Prime Minister is calling for a national effort in ventilator production. If you know of any business that might be able to assist please call the BEIS business support hotline on 0300 456 3565. A team are in place to take your calls.
— Bim Afolami MP (@BimAfolami) March 16, 2020
Another Tory MP, Andrew Griffith, also asked any company that has the capabilities to contact BEIS Business.
We are calling for a National Effort for Ventilator production. If your company might have the capabilities to manufacture ventilators at scale call the BEIS Business Support helpline on 0300 456 3565 after 10.00 am this morning. It will be busy - and please no time-wasters. pic.twitter.com/G0OIpknRsQ
— Andrew Griffith MP (@griffitha) March 16, 2020
The German government has already placed an order for 10,000 ventilators and Italy has tendered for an additional 5000.
This has prompted fears that countries scrambling to meet the equipment needs may hold back cooperative efforts to tackle the disease.
Swedish Enterprise Minister Ibrahim Baylan said last week that some nations were circumventing the European Commission to block exports. He urged countries to "find our way back to cooperation".
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