A COMPANY which provides critical power systems to the health service has been carrying out essential work on the NHS’ emergency Nightingale hospitals during the coronavirus crisis.

Ulverston-based Bender UK designs and supplies critical care power systems for NHS and private hospitals in the UK and Ireland.

It also provides state-of-the-art operating tables, LED lights and digital imaging systems.

The company said it has been in demand in recent weeks as hospitals have sought assurance the systems can cope with the extra demand as they treat coronavirus patients.

The company said it had witnessed a huge increase in demand for technical advice and design support, as well as supplying and installing equipment for the Nightingale field hospitals and extensions of high-dependency and intensive care units.

The Nightingale hospitals were set up across the country - making use of conference centres such as the NEC in Birmingham and the Manchester Central conference centre - to cope with a potential surge in patients due to coronavirus.

Bender UK managing director Gareth Brunton said the company had been providing advice and equipment at the NHS Nightingale hospitals in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Harrogate, Sunderland, Bristol and Glasgow.

“Our team at Bender UK has been incredibly proud to be able to play a part in the NHS battle to contain the coronavirus and to ensure that there is adequate life support for critically ill patients,” he said.

In addition to its work at the Nightingale hospitals, Bender UK has also carried out major power refurbishments at several existing hospitals that required further capacity to cope with increased demands.

Gareth said: “The work has involved a huge commitment from our healthcare team and while it has been extremely challenging, it has been immensely rewarding.

“Staff have worked day and night, including weekends, to facilitate the delivery of these unprecedented projects.

“In conjunction with our fantastic supply chain, we have managed to successfully deliver almost 15MW of uninterruptible power supplies, supporting approximately 10,000 additional bed spaces and all in a timeframe of six weeks.

“The significance of the NHS should never be understated and in these hugely sobering times, it has proved how incredible the doctors, nurses and all the other NHS staff are and how their commitment to the cause is completely selfless.

“It is extremely gratifying to have been able to contribute."