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Coronavirus: Tens of thousands of retired medics asked to return to NHS Coronavirus: Tens of thousands of retired medics asked to return to NHS
(about 1 hour later)
Letters are being sent to more than 65,000 retired doctors and nurses in England and Wales asking them to return to the NHS to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak.Letters are being sent to more than 65,000 retired doctors and nurses in England and Wales asking them to return to the NHS to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
Senior officials say the ex-employees are needed to boost frontline services.Senior officials say the ex-employees are needed to boost frontline services.
It comes after the government pledged to ensure that all hospitals have enough protective gear and ventilators.It comes after the government pledged to ensure that all hospitals have enough protective gear and ventilators.
It also published a list of key workers whose children will still be able to go to school after they shut later.It also published a list of key workers whose children will still be able to go to school after they shut later.
In Scotland, anyone who left the medical profession during the past three years has also been asked to consider returning to the NHS.In Scotland, anyone who left the medical profession during the past three years has also been asked to consider returning to the NHS.
Meanwhile, the chancellor is set to announce a wage subsidy package to protect jobs.Meanwhile, the chancellor is set to announce a wage subsidy package to protect jobs.
Many firms are warning of collapse, wiping out thousands of jobs, as life in the UK is largely put on hold.Many firms are warning of collapse, wiping out thousands of jobs, as life in the UK is largely put on hold.
One proposal under discussion is for the UK to follow the lead of countries such as Denmark, where the government has promised to cover 75% of salaries at private companies for three months, if they promise not to let staff go.One proposal under discussion is for the UK to follow the lead of countries such as Denmark, where the government has promised to cover 75% of salaries at private companies for three months, if they promise not to let staff go.
In the UK, 144 people with the virus have died, and 3,269 people have tested positive for Covid-19.In the UK, 144 people with the virus have died, and 3,269 people have tested positive for Covid-19.
Schools in the UK will close from Friday except for those looking after the children of key workers and vulnerable children.Schools in the UK will close from Friday except for those looking after the children of key workers and vulnerable children.
Among those workers listed in government guidance as critical to the virus response are health workers, teaching staff, police and people working in the production and delivery of vital goods such as food and medical equipment.Among those workers listed in government guidance as critical to the virus response are health workers, teaching staff, police and people working in the production and delivery of vital goods such as food and medical equipment.
Children with at least one parent working in the listed sectors can continue to attend school but the government is asking parents to keep their children at home wherever possible.Children with at least one parent working in the listed sectors can continue to attend school but the government is asking parents to keep their children at home wherever possible.
Who are "key workers"?Who are "key workers"?
The full list includes:The full list includes:
It comes as England's top nurse and top doctor urged medics who have left the NHS in the last three years to re-register with the regulatory bodies to help in the battle against the "greatest global health threat in history".It comes as England's top nurse and top doctor urged medics who have left the NHS in the last three years to re-register with the regulatory bodies to help in the battle against the "greatest global health threat in history".
Final-year medical students and student nurses could also be given temporary work to boost the ranks.Final-year medical students and student nurses could also be given temporary work to boost the ranks.
Those who return will be assessed to see how they can best help the NHS fight the pandemic.Those who return will be assessed to see how they can best help the NHS fight the pandemic.
Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, said: "I am urging all recent former nurses to lend us your expertise and experience during this pandemic, because I have no doubt that you can help to save lives."Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, said: "I am urging all recent former nurses to lend us your expertise and experience during this pandemic, because I have no doubt that you can help to save lives."
Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for the NHS, said returners "will make more of a difference than ever before - not just to patients, but to colleagues and the wider community".Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for the NHS, said returners "will make more of a difference than ever before - not just to patients, but to colleagues and the wider community".
The Nursing and Midwifery Council will write to 50,000 nurses whose registration has lapsed in the last three years; and the General Medical Council will contact another 15,500 doctors who have left since 2017.The Nursing and Midwifery Council will write to 50,000 nurses whose registration has lapsed in the last three years; and the General Medical Council will contact another 15,500 doctors who have left since 2017.
It comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock pledged to rush protective personal equipment (PPE) to frontline NHS staff and social care providers, following concern workers were being put at risk by shortages. Earlier, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he hoped "many, many thousands will respond" to the letters.
Speaking on BBC One's Question Time, Mr Hancock said the UK had shipped 2.6 million masks and 10,000 bottles of hand sanitiser in the last 24 hours. Conservative MP Maria Caulfield, a former nurse, has said she will swap Westminster for the hospital ward - tweeting that it is "important we all help where we can".
He promised that "overnight 150 hospitals will get the next pack of protective equipment they need… every single hospital will get their next batch of equipment before Sunday night". Asked when the former medics would be able to start, Mr Hancock told BBC Breakfast those who left most recently could return "straight away", while others will be given refresher training "over the next couple of weeks".
He also confirmed social care providers would get a package of personal protective equipment by the end of next week. He also pledged to get protective personal equipment (PPE) to frontline NHS staff and social care providers "at pace", following concern workers were being put at risk by shortages.
In response to a government appeal for more ventilator makers, 1,400 companies had offered to switch their operations to help manufacturer them, including Formula One, Mr Hancock said. Mr Hancock said 150 lorries had been dispatched overnight to get the equipment to about half the UK's hospitals, and pledged a lorry load would be sent to each before next week.
He added that officials would work with leading companies to radically increase the number of coronavirus tests, after the government pledged 25,000 tests per day within four weeks. He said more equipment had been sent to GPs and to pharmacists, and a roll out to care homes had also begun.
Speaking directly to NHS staff, he said: "I totally understand that you need protective equipment... because you're literally on the frontline in what we've rightly called a war".
It comes after the government pledged to reach 25,000 tests a day in hospitals within four weeks, and said it had shipped 2.6 million masks and 10,000 bottles of hand sanitiser since Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Mr Hancock said the government appeal for manufacturers to make ventilators had received "thousands" of responses, including Formula One.
Asked how many were needed, he said "no number is too big". He added that the specifications for making them had now been published online and urged firms to "get on and start making them".
The government has bought a test that can detect whether someone has had coronavirus - and their immunity to it, he confirmed.The government has bought a test that can detect whether someone has had coronavirus - and their immunity to it, he confirmed.
Mr Hancock also admitted he could not live on statutory sick pay of £94.25 per week, ahead of the chancellor's expected announcement of further measures to help workers and companies. He also repeated appeals for people to stop panic-buying after many supermarkets began limiting the number of items that can be brought and reserved certain opening hours for the elderly and vulnerable.
The health secretary's comments came during the first Question Time to be filmed without a studio audience as the BBC followed advice over social distancing. It comes as an exhausted critical care nurse made an emotional appeal for people to leave some goods for others who need to stay healthy to carry to support the country.
In a message to the nation on Thursday, the Queen urged people to come together for the common good. Responding to Dawn Bilbrough's video, Mr Hancock suggested supermarkets could consider dedicating a specific hour to key workers.
Elsewhere, in a message to the nation on Thursday the Queen urged people to come together for the common good.
The 93-year-old praised the work of scientists, medics and emergency staff, but added that everyone has a "vitally important part to play".The 93-year-old praised the work of scientists, medics and emergency staff, but added that everyone has a "vitally important part to play".
The monarch's comments came shortly before the PM led the government's daily press conference, saying the UK can "turn the tide" on the coronavirus crisis within 12 weeks.The monarch's comments came shortly before the PM led the government's daily press conference, saying the UK can "turn the tide" on the coronavirus crisis within 12 weeks.
But pressed on what he meant by the three-month timescale, he said he did not know how long it would go on for.But pressed on what he meant by the three-month timescale, he said he did not know how long it would go on for.
Mr Johnson went on to rule out closing down public transport in London but pointed out people in some parts of the capital were not following government guidance on social distancing and would be "enforced" to do so if necessary.Mr Johnson went on to rule out closing down public transport in London but pointed out people in some parts of the capital were not following government guidance on social distancing and would be "enforced" to do so if necessary.
In other key developments in the UK:In other key developments in the UK:
In other key developments around the world:In other key developments around the world:
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