THE 1000th mask created at Bradford College using a 3D printer has been delivered to frontline healthcare staff.

Zaid Bashir, Technology and Media Manager at Bradford College, has created the masks to help protect NHS staff.

Zaid began researching ways of creating personal protective equipment last month using the college’s 3D printers as well as other raw materials he could source. Norman Lodge Care Home has been just one recipient.

He said: “Although 3D printing in industry is mostly used for prototyping new products, I soon came to realise that as part of a larger national community we could try and support our NHS staff in by helping them protect themselves at such a time of crisis as they are selflessly looking after us.”

While the majority of masks have been delivered to Bradford Royal Infirmary, others have been delivered to GP surgeries and clinics across the region.

This includes West Riding and Craven Diabetic eye screening programme, Norman Lodge Care Home in Bradford, Fountains Medical Centre, Leeds and Garrison Medical Centre in York.

Dr Bryan Gill, chief medical officer of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The support and generosity shown to our staff and our Trust during this pandemic has been truly heart-warming, and Zaid’s innovation in creating these masks is one example of this.

“We are indebted to him and his colleagues at Bradford College and would like to say a huge thank you to them. The Trust has always enjoyed a special relationship with Bradford College and this act of kindness further cements that relationship.”

While Olwen Hall, who is a care worker at Norman Lodge, said: “Thank you so much for the visors. They are much appreciated. We will all be forever grateful.”