Trials of novel technology that could dramatically cut the time it takes to decontaminate ambulances have taken place following a rapid appeal by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) in response to Coronavirus.

Scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) have tested 12 methods to speed-up the sanitising of ambulances – in some cases reducing cleaning time from an hour to around 10 minutes so more lives can be saved.

DASA coronavirus response

More than 200 ideas were submitted to DASA by industry in just seven days following the appeal, which was launched on behalf of the Welsh Ambulance Service, Welsh Government, The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Centre of Excellence, and Innovate UK.

Gabriella Cox, DASA security competition lead, said:

This has been a huge effort from everyone involved. The response by industry was remarkable and there has been a monumental effort by staff from DASA, Dstl and our partners to be able to complete this project in just 33 days.

Innovation has never been more important as we play our part in the national effort against Coronavirus.

Dstl scientist Steve Mitchell, who led the trials, said:

The trials have shown some really promising ideas ranging from fogging techniques, sprays, and using a decontaminant vapour to give a thorough and deep clean in the quickest time possible.

This has been a big challenge for everyone involved to turn this work around in such rapid time with the possibility of one of the solutions being taken forward by the Welsh Ambulance Service in the next week or so.

Steve Mitchell interview

DASA asked businesses to come up with innovative solutions to accelerate the cleaning of ambulances so that crews can get back on the road and respond to other emergency calls.

It is hoped the solutions may also be used by other emergency services and possibly public transport.

The Welsh Ambulance Trust will consider results from the trials and successful solutions may be implemented across the organisation.

DASA finds and funds innovation for the UK’s defence and national security.

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Do not meet others, even friends or family.

You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.

Terry Babbs

Terry Babbs’ career spans the private and public sectors. His executive career was in regulation, international trade and supply chain management with Tesco plc and he has served on and chaired a number of international organisations in these fields. His subsequent non-executive career includes two terms on the Legal Services Board where he also chaired their Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. He is currently vice chair of the Investment Committee of Oxfam’s Enterprise Development Programme and a non-executive director of HMRC’s Valuation Office Agency. Terry is also the Senior Independent Director at the General Dental Council and chair of its Finance and Performance Committee.

Brian Bannister

Brian Bannister is currently the Executive Director for Strategic Insight and Influence at The Law Society of England and Wales. Brian joined from KPMG where he served for seven years as Global Head of Communications, with responsibility for the network’s global media and external profile as well as internal communications for more than 200,000 partners and staff. Prior to KPMG Brian was PwC’s UK Director of Communications for six years, leading media relations, digital, internal communications and public affairs. Previously Brian was PwC’s UK Director of Public Affairs with responsibility for relations with Government, regulators and other stakeholders and was a member of PwC’s European and Global PwC Public Affairs Boards. He holds an Honours and Masters Degree in Political Science.

Jo Hill

Jo Hill is Executive Director of Strategy and Risk at The Pensions Regulator. She is responsible for Corporate Strategy, the Regulatory model, Risk Management Framework and Data and Analysis.
Jo was previously Director of Market Intelligence, Data and Analysis at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) accountable for the creation and delivery of the FCA’s approach to data and analysis, Sector Views (common view of regulatory risk) and Consumer Agenda.
Prior to her appointment as Director of Market Intelligence, Data and Analysis, Jo held a number of roles across the FCA and Financial Services Authority in strategy, supervision, authorisations and enforcement, as well as roles in the banking and insurance sectors. Jo is also a Trustee of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute.

Sir Martin Narey

Sir Martin Narey became Director General (Chief Executive) of the Prison Service (England and Wales) in 1998 and led prisons for seven years and prisons and the probation service for three. He was the recipient of The UK Chartered Institute of Management’s annual Gold Medal for Leadership. He was the first public sector recipient of this single annual award for ten years. He resigned from the Civil Service in 2005 to become Chief Executive of Barnardo’s. He has subsequently advised the government about children’s social care and has published a number of reports about the care system. He is Chair of My Foster Family; Chair Designate of The Sage (a music venue on Tyneside) and a NED on the board of Unilink Ltd. He is a visiting Professor at a number of Universities.

These roles are remunerated at £295 per day. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments, the process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Government’s Governance Code requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared. This is defined as holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Neither Terry Babbs, Brian Bannister, Jo Hill or Sir Martin Narey have declared any activity.

Thank you Mr Chair,

I’d like to thank Ambassador Neukirch for his report to the Permanent Council. The UK supports a peaceful, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Transnistrian conflict on the basis of recognition of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova, within its internationally recognized borders, and with a special status for Transnistria.

Ambassador Neukirch, thank you for the work of the OSCE Mission to Moldova and your effective leadership. We welcome your open and cooperative manner which has allowed you to build up relationships of trust with the respective Chief Negotiators, all partners in the 5+2 process and other relevant actors.

Your report makes clear the unique challenges which the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented to the Mission since mid-March. We commend the way you have adapted to the new and evolving situation. Thank you for the creativity and energy you have shown while helping the parties address several issues which have arisen. In this context, we welcome the spirit of collaboration shown by Chisinau and Tiraspol over testing for cases of COVID-19 in the initial phase of the crisis.

Whilst noting this positive cooperation, we urge the parties to re-double their efforts to resolve several outstanding issues which have been generated by COVID-19. In particular, we refer to the challenges set out in your report around free movement of those resident in Transnistria who need to cross the de facto internal boundary line on a regular basis. This includes for work in the healthcare system and to access their bank accounts.

We believe that the Working Group on Health and the sub-Working Group on Banking could be convened to facilitate discussion of these issues.

Furthermore, we support the idea of a joint OSCE Mission-World Health Organisation visit to Transnistria to increase understanding of the impact of the pandemic in that region.

We regret the establishment of ad hoc check-points within the Security Zone following the outbreak of the viral pandemic. Although these have not prevented the Mission from undertaking its work, we must note that they represent a breach of the ceasefire agreement. It is regrettable that the Joint Control Commission (JCC) has not met in recent weeks and we hope that it will begin to do so again as a matter of priority.

Thank you also for the information you shared on developments related to the Cobasna ammunition depot. We call on the Russian Federation to involve the OSCE in the process of removal and destruction of Russian ammunition from Transnistria. This will ensure transparency, in accordance with the 1999 Istanbul Summit Declaration and subsequent extension of the mandate of the Mission to Moldova. We also recall the importance of the withdrawal of the Operational Group of Russian Forces as part of the framework of commitments undertaken in the Summit Declaration.

Ambassador Neukirch, we welcome the cooperation you reported with other OSCE executive structures, including the High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Representative on the Freedom of the Media. We also value the Mission’s efforts to promote an inclusive, open and tolerant society and respect for human rights. We would be interested to hear more about the Mission’s efforts to incorporate a gender perspective into its work, including its mediation efforts.

Ambassador Neukirch, we agree with you that the way in which the parties manage the current COVID-19 challenges could set the tone for a successful resumption of negotiations on the outstanding Berlin Plus Confidence Building Measures. In the interest of all citizens of the Republic of Moldova, the United Kingdom urges the parties to work together to resolve current differences in a collaborative manner.