(Adds quotes and details)
LONDON, March 20 (Reuters) - Britain said on Friday its
scramble to produce thousands of ventilators to fight the
coronavirus outbreak was achieving results as top companies have
already produced a prototype and it should be ready for use in
hospitals by the end of next week.
British companies have formed three teams, led by aerospace
engineer Meggitt and carmakers McLaren and Nissan
to pursue the rapid production of ventilators. European
giant Airbus is working across the process to provide
its 3D technology and facilities.
"More than half a dozen companies have already made one in
prototype, to check with us that we are happy with the quality,"
health minister Matt Hancock told BBC TV.
Hancock said he hoped the new ventilators would be approved
for use in hospitals by the end of next week.
"I would be surprised if it was longer than then," he said.
"It's unbelievable. In a matter of days some of these top
engineering companies have already turned their hand to this
effort and already got their prototypes out.
"We need as many as you can possibly make and we will buy
them because if we end up with too many for the NHS (National
Health Service) that is a great problem to have and there's
other countries round the world that needs ventilators. No
number is too big."
(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Kate Holton; editing by
Michael Holden)