The UK government is calling on manufacturers to help make NHS ventilators as part of the effort to tackle the Coronavirus.

Prime minister Boris Johnson is due to speak to engineering firms about whether they can shift production lines to build NHS ventilators in a bid to address concerns surrounding life-saving equipment.

BBC News quotes Downing Street as saying: "Preparing for the spread of the coronavirus outbreak is a national priority and we're calling on the manufacturing industry and all those with relevant expertise who might be able to help to come together to help the country tackle this national crisis."

"We need to step up production of vital equipment such as ventilators so that we can all help the most vulnerable, and we need businesses to come to us and help in this national effort."

Health secretary Matt Hancock told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that the number of ventilators available in the UK currently stands at approximately 5,000.

He said: “If you produce a ventilator then we will buy it. No number is too high. We’ve been working with companies for some time to buy ventilators that are available but also to switch over production to ventilators and other critical equipment – like personal protection equipment for instance. The ventilators are the big thing.

“Frankly, the demand for them across the world is incredibly high so it’s not possible to produce too many, so anybody who can should turn their production and their engineering minds over to the production of ventilators.”

Are you a British manufacturer with a capability to produce ventilators or source parts for ventilators? If yes, or you think you can help, please contact the BEIS Business Support helpline on 0300 456 3565