Masons cross the divide in supply effort

HEALTH chiefs are aiming to add more than 5,000 retired health professionals, students and other care workers to the frontline battle against Covid-19.

Final year Queen’s medical students and third year nursing students are being asked to join the profession early, while retired doctors and nurses have been urged to return to practice.

The drive also includes measures to redeploy other health and social care staff to where they are needed most.

Chief Nursing Officer Prof Charlotte Mcardle said: “These are extraordinary times and we need to take extraordinary measures.

“Staff across the health and social care system are working intensively in preparation for the Covid-19 surge.

“We have to give them all the support we can including bolstering the workforce in every way feasible.

“I want to thank staff for their amazing commitment.

“I know they are heartened by the scale of the public support and the heartfelt appreciation of what they are doing.”

But she said the best way to show your appreciation for their efforts is to follow public health advice on social distancing “however difficult that may be” and wash your hands. Prof

Mcardle added: “By following this guidance, we are fighting back against Covid-19, protecting older and vulnerable people, and protecting both the health service and all who work in it.

Professor Mcardle said the “enthusiasm already being shown for these recruitment initiatives is very heartening”.

But said she is aware “nursing, midwifery, AHP, social work and medical students will have concerns”.

She added: “I want them to know they will be supported by their colleagues.

“These young people are the future of our health service. They are valued and needed by the HSC and we really appreciate their contribution and dedication.”

The recruitment and redeployment initiatives also includes:

Nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy,

SUPPORT Belfast yesterday Van-loads of essential supplies have been shipped out by the Freemasons. The fraternity helped community workers load up vehicles with toilet rolls and hand sanitiser to be sent to vulnerable residents in districts close to their Masonic Hall in North Belfast yesterday. And the “hands across the divide” move is set to tie in with a raft of grassroots level efforts aimed at ensuring older people in the area are looked after during the Covid-19 outbreak. It is hoped the supplies will be delivered to around 300 elderly people over the weekend and into next week. Freemason Leslie Weir said: “We all need to pull together during these difficult times. “In an effort to help the elderly members of the lodges that sit in our hall I decided to use some contacts I have to not only help them and the other members who have underlying medical problems, but to assist the elderly residents in and around the area of the hall.” Robert Mcclenaghan from the Falls Residents’ Association said the virus “doesn’t recognise the interface gates around here, so this was a great gesture that shows how we all have to fight this together”. Robert Harris from the Lower Shankill Community Association added they have identified a number of facilities where they will bring the packages. Freemason Neil Ritchie, 89, is one of those who have already got a pack. He said: “This help has been truly amazing.” HELP Freemason Leslie Weir BRAVE HEROES Nurses will be on the frontline ON THE MOVE Lorries arrive on ferry from Scotland yesterday PALS Lineker, Wright & Shearer