NHS staff given chance to donate plasma in fight against coronavirus
A Black Country hospital trust is playing a leading role in clinical trials as part of the fight to beat coronavirus, with some NHS staff being asked to donate blood plasma.
The Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell Hospital, is involved in "all relevant clinical trials", chief executive Toby Lewis said.
Mr Lewis said opportunities to take part had been offered to staff, including plasma donation.
Trials to treat Covid-19 using the plasma from those who have already recovered have started, with the effectiveness of fighting the virus to be closely monitored while no vaccine exists.
Mr Lewis said in a report to board members: "Latest data shows the trust involved in all relevant clinical trials associated with Covid-19.
"We have promoted opportunities relevant to staff, such as plasma donation. It is important that that scientific commitment is at the forefront of our restoration plans.
"Covid-19 will be a feature of the future and establishing how best to manage its harm, and the fear concurrent to that, is central to our trust in the coming months and years."
