More than 100 army medics have been deployed to support hospitals in the South West as they struggle to cope with a surge in coronavirus patients.
Over 5000 armed forces personnel are now working across the country in what the government is calling the ‘largest-ever peacetime resilience operation’.
Nearly half are supporting community COVID-19 testing across England, representing nearly half of the deployed force.
A further 800 defence medics are joining NHS workers on the front line of hospitals across the UK, with more than 100 of them based in the South West of England – including Swindon’s Great Western Hospital and Bath’s Royal United Hospital.
The majority of the medics supporting hospitals are trained as Combat Medical Technicians, who in their day job deploy on overseas operations and exercises as medics, work in defence medical centres and provide medical training to fellow service personnel.
The standing up of hundreds of defence medics is being achieved without drawing on those personnel who are already working in NHS trusts and with minimal impact to defence activities, including training and supporting the recovery of military personnel.
“With over 4.9 million people vaccinated so far across all four corners of the UK, we’re on track to meet our target of offering a vaccine to the most vulnerable groups by February 15th”, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.
He continued: “Everyone can play a part in our fight against the virus and I’m grateful to the extraordinary efforts of our armed forces who are doing their bit to help deliver the biggest medical deployment this country has ever seen.
“Working alongside our healthcare heroes and local partners, they will help support the roll out of the vaccine as quickly as possible across the UK.”
