South West Healthcare and the region's businesses join forces to produce hand sanitiser

The hospital's regional supply chain manager Terry Hoy was thrilled to bring the businesses together to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

"We had a critical shortage of hand sanitiser and were thinking outside the box," he said.

"Sun Pharmaceuticals initiated the process and pretty much the same day Josh, from Timboon Railway Distillery turned up to the hospital and asked how to help.

"The light bulbs went off, discussions started and the collaboration began."

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South West Healthcare infection prevention coordinator Jenny Lukeis obtained a recipe from the World Health Organisation and Sun Pharmaceuticals and Timboon Distillery were able to supply the ingredients.

"This is the solution to our problem," Ms Lukeis said.

"We use hand sanitiser for all our interactions and this will absolutely see us through the pandemic."

Sun Pharmaceuticals' Chris Quadroy and Timboon Distillery's Josh Walker were thrilled to be involved.

"We're very happy to participate and join in the production," Mr Quadroy said.

"There's a genuine feeling around the factory that we're doing a great thing."

For Timboon Distillery, the production has meant some workers have remained employed.

"I had to lay off my staff last Monday," Mr Walker said.

"The following day I came to Warrnambool because I knew ethanol was an ingredient in hand sanitiser and I asked what I could do.

"I've been able to bring back five staff members and our stills are running 24/7 for the production.

"Depending on the raw ingredient strength, we can make up to 250 litres a day of ethanol."

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