A Newcastle-based national engineering company is putting the final touches on the manufacture of the first of ten ventilators for the state government to help patients with COVID-19.
AmpControl answered the government's manufacturing call to arms to make a low-cost ventilator to boost patient care resources across the state's health system.
Engineers from the company worked with specialist clinicians from Hunter New England Health and the John Hunter Hospital as well as the University of Newcastle's Faculty of Engineering and other NSW Health specialists to develop the Ventasys ventilator.
Stage one of the project has been completed for the initial order of 10 units for health authorities - they will be put through rigorous testing and prototyping procedures before 100 units can be manufactured at the company's Cameron Park facility.
The ventilators will be used to boost capacity across Australia is the virus spikes again. There are also plans to export the product overseas.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian issued a call to arms five months ago calling on businesses to adapt into producing critical medical supplies in the fight against COVD-19.
"Global supply chains were disrupted and our local universities and manufacturers stepped in and joined forces to develop prototype ventilators. Two ventilators are on track to receive regulatory approval within weeks and, if needed, can be produced for hospitals here and potentially overseas, saving lives and boosting jobs," she said.
Health Minister, Brad Hazzard said The Ventilator Innovation Project was part of the NSW Government's $800 million investment to help increase services and equipment to combat COVID-19.
"Having access to a ventilator can be the difference between life and death for severe COVID cases and, sadly, we know the effects of shortages overseas," he said.
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| The Ventasys Emergency Ventilators developed By AmpControl at Cameron Park Picture: ampcontrolgroup.com |
