(Pictured from left) Key players in this historic development: SWH infection prevention coordinator Jenny Lukeis, Timboon Distillery's Josh Walker, Sun Pharma's Chris Quadroy and SWH regional supply chain manager Terry Hoy.
We told you earlier this week about what we’d proudly achieved on the food supply front. Now we can tell you about another collaboration that, this time, ends hand sanitiser concerns. For the first time in history, hand sanitiser is now being made locally.
This fantastic initiative came about after our CEO Craig Fraser, regional supply chain manager Terry Hoy, infection prevention coordinator Jenny Lukeis and Sun Pharma’s Chris Quadroy held emergency talks to work out what might be possible, on March 19. Shortly after, Josh Walker from Timboon Distillery joined the team. It kicked into motion a unique collaboration to investigate options for shoring up a local supply chain for hand sanitiser – at least 1,000 litres of which SWH, alone, needs every 10 days. This week we received our first batch of the locally-produced product, made to World Health Organisation standards and TGA approved.
This supply will not only support infection prevention measures at our SWH campuses, but the campuses of 10 other local health services we work closely with, from Lorne to Casterton and everywhere in between. Portland District Health was supplied yesterday, Western District Health Service today and Monday it’ll be at Colac Area Health.
The entire supply chain across the medical industry is under enormous stress. Just look at what can be achieved by goodwill, collaboration and determination to protect our communities. We’re so thrilled with this outcome. It will help protect the patients, consumers, aged care residents, visitors and staff of 11 regional health services. It will remove pressure from local suppliers, allowing them to focus on getting their product to you, at home. It will free us up to concentrate on dozens of other pressing high priorities. It will give everyone confidence that this essential piece of the supply chain is secure. And it will keep local people in local jobs.