Defence, security and aerospace firm BAE Systems has this week produced its 5,000th face shield at its Kent site for healthcare professionals battling the Covid-19 crisis.

The firm, which has a facility in Rochester, says the PPE has been sent to users around Kent, Essex and London. It surpasses the 3,000 target it had originally set.

It forms part of a wider company effort to donate more than 150,000 face shields.

Osman Bhatti, GP and chief clinical information officer for north east London said: “The face shields have been a total godsend and have really helped to build confidence with our staff and patients who have shown a huge amount of appreciation.

"We are making sure that the remaining face shields go to the social and voluntary sector who are doing so much to support the healthcare system and have so many hidden heroes who all have their own pressures.”

John Russell, deputy engineering director for BAE Systems, electronic systems, at Rochester, said: “To design and then produce 5,000 face shields in such a short period of time is a significant achievement.

"It’s been rewarding to hear the positive reception from the NHS, as right from the beginning we wanted to play our part for the local community and help in any way we could.”

It will now wind down production and demand drops but BAE chiefs say production will be stepped up again if required.

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