Homemade washable drawstring bags needed for hospital staff in Northamptonshire

Volunteers who can sew are needed to make washable drawstring bags for hospital staff in Northamptonshire to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

The three large NHS trusts in the county have told Healthwatch Northamptonshire they would like to have more bags for their employees to store their uniform when they leave work.

The organisation was inspired by the work of thousands of volunteers across Northamptonshire who have been sewing scrubs, masks and more for the NHS.

One such volunteer is Lydia Pratley, from Blakesley, who has been busy delivering material and encouraging others to sew, resulting in more than 400 bags.

“When I heard about the idea of making bags I was keen to get involved and have been encouraging all the sewers I know to help out," she said.

"It’s great to help those working so hard in our hospitals. I've kept going because of the response from the nurses.

"They're all so thrilled that they are being thought of in what is a very anxious time for them.”

To avoid the risk of spreading coronavirus to their families and others, hospital staff change out of their uniforms at the end of the day before going home.

Drawstring bags are useful to help staff take their regular uniforms home for washing as they can put their uniform and the bag straight in the washing machine - although putting the uniform and bag in separately is advisable.

Jan Rogers, who teaches sewing classes in Bugbrooke, has been encouraging her pupils to make drawstring bags.

Jan decided to start making bags as her daughter's mother-in-law is a senior midwife at Northampton General Hospital.

If you have a sewing machine and are able to make a drawstring bag, take a look at the instructions here.