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Coronavirus: NHS Nightingale work for Virgin and EasyJet staff | Coronavirus: NHS Nightingale work for Virgin and EasyJet staff |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Thousands of EasyJet and Virgin airline staff are being offered work in the new NHS Nightingale Hospital in east London. | Thousands of EasyJet and Virgin airline staff are being offered work in the new NHS Nightingale Hospital in east London. |
Those who sign up will support nurses and clinicians at the coronavirus field hospital, the NHS said. | Those who sign up will support nurses and clinicians at the coronavirus field hospital, the NHS said. |
Virgin Atlantic said furloughed staff who helped would be paid through the government retention scheme. | Virgin Atlantic said furloughed staff who helped would be paid through the government retention scheme. |
NHS England said many airline staff were first aid trained and already had security clearance. | NHS England said many airline staff were first aid trained and already had security clearance. |
The workers would be changing beds and performing other non-clinical tasks and helping doctors and nurses working on the wards, the NHS said. | The workers would be changing beds and performing other non-clinical tasks and helping doctors and nurses working on the wards, the NHS said. |
Virgin Atlantic said it had written to about 4,000 employees, while EasyJet said it had contacted 9,000 of its UK-based staff - half of whom were first aid trained, the airline said. | Virgin Atlantic said it had written to about 4,000 employees, while EasyJet said it had contacted 9,000 of its UK-based staff - half of whom were first aid trained, the airline said. |
Travel restrictions and a slump in demand because of the pandemic have forced airlines to cancel most flights and temporarily reduce staff. | Travel restrictions and a slump in demand because of the pandemic have forced airlines to cancel most flights and temporarily reduce staff. |
Virgin Atlantic had to cut four-fifths of its flights and has asked staff to take eight weeks of unpaid leave. | Virgin Atlantic had to cut four-fifths of its flights and has asked staff to take eight weeks of unpaid leave. |
News of the voluntary scheme came as EasyJet announced it had grounded its entire fleet of aircraft due to the coronavirus pandemic. | News of the voluntary scheme came as EasyJet announced it had grounded its entire fleet of aircraft due to the coronavirus pandemic. |
EasyJet's Tina Milton said cabin crew "could make a real difference". | EasyJet's Tina Milton said cabin crew "could make a real difference". |
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in London has soared well ahead of the rest of the UK, with the capital making up about a third of all deaths linked to the virus. | The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in London has soared well ahead of the rest of the UK, with the capital making up about a third of all deaths linked to the virus. |
Last week, the government announced it would turn the ExCeL Centre into a temporary hospital to cope with the surge in London. | Last week, the government announced it would turn the ExCeL Centre into a temporary hospital to cope with the surge in London. |
Nearby London City Airport has stopped all commercial flights until further notice and the airfield will be offered to the government "to help with the national effort" against coronavirus. | Nearby London City Airport has stopped all commercial flights until further notice and the airfield will be offered to the government "to help with the national effort" against coronavirus. |
England's chief nursing officer Ruth May said: "The NHS is mobilising like never before, but the scale of this challenge has not been seen in peacetime so we need all the support we can get. | England's chief nursing officer Ruth May said: "The NHS is mobilising like never before, but the scale of this challenge has not been seen in peacetime so we need all the support we can get. |
"Thousands of nurses, medics and other expert staff are returning to work alongside us, but we need everyone to do their bit." | "Thousands of nurses, medics and other expert staff are returning to work alongside us, but we need everyone to do their bit." |
Two more temporary hospitals are to be built in Birmingham and Manchester and NHS England said other sites were being considered across the UK. | Two more temporary hospitals are to be built in Birmingham and Manchester and NHS England said other sites were being considered across the UK. |
In addition to the hospital in east London, staff at Virgin Atlantic and EasyJet have been invited to volunteer at the sites planned at Birmingham's NEC and the Manchester conference centre. | |
Hundreds of volunteers for the St John Ambulance will also help staff the NHS Nightingale Hospital. | Hundreds of volunteers for the St John Ambulance will also help staff the NHS Nightingale Hospital. |
Virgin Atlantic said staff who took up the offer would be given free accommodation and meals. | Virgin Atlantic said staff who took up the offer would be given free accommodation and meals. |
For more London news follow on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel. | For more London news follow on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel. |
Are you a cabin crew worker who plans to sign up to help at the new hospital? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
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