SALUTE TO THE HEROES:
400,000 offer to help out as military prepare giant hospital for virus peak
OVER half a million members of the public have answered a call for an army of volunteers to help ease the pressure on our NHS.
The NHS Volunteer Responders will be mobilised for the next three months in the battle to keep 1.4 million vulnerable people with serious conditions alive.
It came as troops were seen at the ExCel exhibition centre in East London where they are helping set up the 4,000-bed Nightingale field hospital as the pandemic approaches its expected peak.
A worker posted a video showing the scale of it, warning: “This hall is 1km long. If you’re not taking it seriously, you need to start. They’re preparing for a high death toll here.”
The national appeal for volunteers called for 2,500 helpers – but within 24 hours over double that number had already joined up. As of 8pm last
night, 504,303 had put their hands up, said NHS England – with three people signing up every second.
They will deliver food and medication to those who cannot leave their homes, drive them to and from hospital and call them by phone to check how they are.
Earlier, with the total at 406,000, the Prime Minister said: “That is already, in one day, as many volunteers as the population of Coventry.”
He added: “They will be absolutely crucial in the fight against this virus.
And so to all of you, and to all the former NHS staff coming back now into the service, I say thank you on behalf of the entire country.”
NHS boss Sir Simon Stevens said: “Times like this show just how generous the British people are and how much they value our health service. We are blown away by this response. I can’t thank those enough who have pledged to devote their time to helping others at what is a challenging and uncertain time.”
Stephen Powis, of NHS England,
said: “It’s an absolutely astonishing response. At times of crisis people come together. This is a health emergency and we can all play a role.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I am immensely proud of how the whole country is coming together to help one another. If you are well and able to do so safely, I’d urge you to sign up today to help the most vulnerable in our communities as an NHS Volunteer Responder.”
Appeals could be repeated by other vital public services to keep the country running as workers fall ill. The NHS scheme is being run through the Royal Voluntary Service, who will match up volunteers with GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals. Some 2,660 retired doctors, 6,147 ex-nurses and more than 2,500 former pharmacists and other staff have already answered the call to return to work. They will be joined by 5,500 finalyear medics and 18,700 final-year student nurses moving to the front line next week.
Experts believe the outbreak will peak here in around three weeks. England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said: “We do think if everybody sticks to staying in your household unless absolutely essential this will be probably manageable by the NHS. But we cannot guarantee that.”
While soldiers in fatigues were spotted at the ExCel Centre’s loading bays yesterday, it is understood the military’s involvement is limited at the moment.
The hospital is expected to treat its first patients next week. The National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham said it also “stands ready” and is “well equipped” to become a temporary hospital.
At 8pm tonight people across the country are being asked to “Clap For Our Carers” from doors, windows and balconies in support of NHS staff. Yoga teacher Annemarie Plas, 36, started the campaign after seeing videos of people overseas applauding their medics.
Ray Gray from Unison said: “I think it would be a good morale boost and it lets them know they really are appreciated.” ■ Volunteer at goodsamapp.org/NHS.