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| Covid: Armed Forces send 200 personnel to support the NHS in London | |
| (33 minutes later) | |
| The Armed Forces have sent 200 personnel into NHS hospitals across London to plug staff shortages. | The Armed Forces have sent 200 personnel into NHS hospitals across London to plug staff shortages. |
| The Ministry of Defence will provide 40 defence medics and 160 general duty personnel for the next three weeks. | The Ministry of Defence will provide 40 defence medics and 160 general duty personnel for the next three weeks. |
| Hospitals in London have been hit hard by staff absences, with thousands off sick or isolating as the Omicron variant surged through the capital. | Hospitals in London have been hit hard by staff absences, with thousands off sick or isolating as the Omicron variant surged through the capital. |
| Earlier this week, the PM said he hoped England could "ride out" the latest wave without further restrictions. | Earlier this week, the PM said he hoped England could "ride out" the latest wave without further restrictions. |
| Pressure on London hospitals has increased over the past month, with 4,000 patients currently in hospital with Covid compared with 1,100 in early December. | |
| The Royal College of Nursing's director for England, Patricia Marquis, said the deployment showed the government could not deny there was a "staffing crisis" in the NHS. | The Royal College of Nursing's director for England, Patricia Marquis, said the deployment showed the government could not deny there was a "staffing crisis" in the NHS. |
| "The prime minister and others can no longer be dismissive of questions about the ability of NHS staff to deliver safe care," she said. | "The prime minister and others can no longer be dismissive of questions about the ability of NHS staff to deliver safe care," she said. |
| As of Thursday afternoon, 17 hospital trusts in England were experiencing critical incidents - about one in eight of the total. | As of Thursday afternoon, 17 hospital trusts in England were experiencing critical incidents - about one in eight of the total. |
| A critical incident is declared when a trust is worried it might not be able to provide core priority services, such as emergency care. It means they can get extra help and draft staff in from other duties. | A critical incident is declared when a trust is worried it might not be able to provide core priority services, such as emergency care. It means they can get extra help and draft staff in from other duties. |
| How is the NHS in my area coping this winter? | How is the NHS in my area coping this winter? |
| How many cases are there where I live? | How many cases are there where I live? |
| In London, there are 236 patients on ventilators - compared with 190 last month - and daily admissions are about four times higher than the beginning of December. | |
| Vaccination rates in the capital are also running behind the UK as a whole, with 69% having had a first dose, 63% a second and 40% a booster jab. | |
| Across the UK, 90% have had their first jab, 83% have had a second, and 61% a booster. | |
| Health Secretary Sajid Javid urged people to get their vaccinations to help cut the pressure on the NHS, as he welcomed support from the military. | Health Secretary Sajid Javid urged people to get their vaccinations to help cut the pressure on the NHS, as he welcomed support from the military. |
| He said: "Once again they are stepping up to assist NHS workers who are working round the clock across the capital, helping the health service through this difficult winter period where the need is greatest. | He said: "Once again they are stepping up to assist NHS workers who are working round the clock across the capital, helping the health service through this difficult winter period where the need is greatest. |
| "The most important thing you can do is get boosted now to protect your loved ones and communities from Covid-19." | "The most important thing you can do is get boosted now to protect your loved ones and communities from Covid-19." |
| Staff testing positive for Covid are off work for much longer than is typical for a sickness absence | Staff testing positive for Covid are off work for much longer than is typical for a sickness absence |
| Army medics and support staff have been used to support health services throughout the pandemic - they were deployed to work in Northern Ireland's hospitals in September and were also needed in London this time last year. | |
| Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the Armed Forces would again be working "hand-in-hand" with NHS staff "to protect the nation from Covid-19". | Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the Armed Forces would again be working "hand-in-hand" with NHS staff "to protect the nation from Covid-19". |
| He added: "They have shown their worth time and again throughout this pandemic, whether driving ambulances, administering vaccines or supporting patients in hospital and they should be proud of their contribution to this truly national effort." | He added: "They have shown their worth time and again throughout this pandemic, whether driving ambulances, administering vaccines or supporting patients in hospital and they should be proud of their contribution to this truly national effort." |
| 400 military troops deployed to hospitals | 400 military troops deployed to hospitals |
| Covid: Military could be used to transport Covid vaccine | Covid: Military could be used to transport Covid vaccine |
| Covid test centre troops receive Freedom of City | Covid test centre troops receive Freedom of City |
| There are 40 teams of five, with one medic and four general duties personnel, who have started work this week and will be allocated according to need. | There are 40 teams of five, with one medic and four general duties personnel, who have started work this week and will be allocated according to need. |
| Medics will work with patients, whereas the soldiers will be working on maintaining stocks, checking in patients on arrival, and conducting basic checks. | Medics will work with patients, whereas the soldiers will be working on maintaining stocks, checking in patients on arrival, and conducting basic checks. |
| Paramedics in the South Central Ambulance Service will also be bolstered with 32 military co-responders, who are expected to stay with them until the end of March. | Paramedics in the South Central Ambulance Service will also be bolstered with 32 military co-responders, who are expected to stay with them until the end of March. |
| About 10% of staff at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust are off sick | About 10% of staff at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust are off sick |
| Jane Clegg, the regional chief nurse for the NHS in London, said: "We are thankful for the support of the armed forces alongside thousands of NHS staff, as they respond to the increased demands brought by Covid - ensuring continued high quality care and treatment for the many Londoners being looked after by the NHS this winter." | Jane Clegg, the regional chief nurse for the NHS in London, said: "We are thankful for the support of the armed forces alongside thousands of NHS staff, as they respond to the increased demands brought by Covid - ensuring continued high quality care and treatment for the many Londoners being looked after by the NHS this winter." |
| Across the UK there are about 1,800 armed forces personnel supporting the NHS response to the Covid-19 pandemic, made up of regulars and reservists from the Army, Navy and the RAF. | Across the UK there are about 1,800 armed forces personnel supporting the NHS response to the Covid-19 pandemic, made up of regulars and reservists from the Army, Navy and the RAF. |
| More than 400 military paramedics are assisting ambulance trusts, with 313 in the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust and 96 in the Scottish Ambulance Service. | More than 400 military paramedics are assisting ambulance trusts, with 313 in the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust and 96 in the Scottish Ambulance Service. |
| Another 1,000 are working on the vaccine booster programme, with 730 in England, 221 in Scotland and 98 in Wales. | Another 1,000 are working on the vaccine booster programme, with 730 in England, 221 in Scotland and 98 in Wales. |
| THE GREEN PLANET: Preview David Attenborough's incredible new series | THE GREEN PLANET: Preview David Attenborough's incredible new series |
| HAVE YOU GOT 'BRAIN FOG'? How to banish winter blues and boost energy | HAVE YOU GOT 'BRAIN FOG'? How to banish winter blues and boost energy |