Leeds manufacturer to supply emergency ExCel hospital in London

A Leeds healthcare manufacturer has secured a contract to supply equipment to the new emergency hospital being set up in London.

Herida Healthcare is creating specialist mattresses for the NHS Nightingale hospital in London’s ExCel centre, which is being created in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The order follows a period of expansion for the Yorkshire firm, which relocated into a new 30,000 sq ft factory in Morley a few months ago.

The 42-strong firm has been working around the clock to deliver the order. Herida Healthcare founder, Neil Smith, commented: “While we all really appreciate the work the NHS does at its centre, the response to Covid-19 needs a chain of suppliers who provide critical links.

“This includes delivery drivers taking it there, packers, mattress welders, cutters, administrative staff working from home and all others in between.

“Our staff are working so hard and we are all a bit exhausted as we have turned this round in 72 hours, but morale is very high as they are so proud to take part.”

Roger Marsh OBE, deputy lieutenant and chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and NP11, added: “The swift response by Herida Healthcare to this national call for such an urgent national need is real testament to the region’s manufacturing capability.

“They are just one of many local businesses who are fundamentally changing their operations to assist at this difficult time, and we must all thank all of those smart people who are driving forward solutions for the national effort.”