Southampton Hospital Rolls Out Groundbreaking COVID-19 Safety Gear
University Hospital Southampton is blazing a trail in protecting frontline workers. It’s the first NHS trust to launch a cutting-edge protective respirator hood for staff battling COVID-19 patients.
Speedy Innovation to Shield Staff
Designed by scientists at the University of Southampton and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, in partnership with hospital clinicians, the new gear was made into a prototype in just one week. After testing on wards, it went into mass production within a month.
Meet PeRSo: The Future of PPE
The hi-tech hood, called PeRSo, covers the wearer’s head with fabric and a clear plastic visor. It pumps clean air through a HEPA filter powered by a belt-mounted fan. Staff can wear it nonstop for 8-9 hours, and it’s fully reusable once cleaned.
- Filters out over 99.95% of airborne particles
- Protects against face splashes and contamination
- Open-source design now available worldwide
Big Orders and Ongoing Evaluations
After successful ward trials, UHS ordered 5,000 PeRSo units from Southampton-based manufacturer INDO. The first batch is already in, undergoing clinical checks to replace surgical masks in selected areas.
PeRSo hasn’t yet been approved to replace high-grade FFP3 masks for high-risk zones but is under active evaluation.
Experts Praise the Breakthrough
“Frontline medical staff face constant risk, and PPE shortages have plagued the pandemic,” said Professor Paul Elkington, respiratory medicine expert and project lead. “This simple yet effective solution tackles both infection risk and supply chain problems.”
“The HEPA filter clears 99.95% of particles, with a face shield guarding against splashes and accidental touches, significantly cutting infection chances.”
Dr Derek Sandeman, UHS Chief Medical Officer, added: “We’re proud to back this innovation. It shows the incredible expertise here, and we’re confident PeRSo will become a vital worldwide health tool.”
Professor Hywel Morgan from the University of Southampton’s electronics team said: “This is a brilliant example of universities, industry, and hospitals uniting to find real-world solutions in a crisis.”
