Climate march could put pressure on A&E services

A MARCH by climate change activists that is licenced for 100,000 people could place the biggest demand on Glasgow’s hospitals during the COP26 summit, according to a report.

Official documents state that additional staff are being sought by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for accident and emergency units ahead of two marches on November 5 and 6.

Extra staff are also being drafted into mental health assessment units and the police custody service.

The health board said information from other COP events and from the recent G7 summit found there was limited demand for hospital admission and “as such no specific provision has been made for additional inpatient capacity”.

It comes amid warnings that the event itself could trigger a fresh spike in Covid cases, piling pressure on an already overstretched NHS.

The documents also reveal that NHS staff training has been provided across key areas associated with a potential emergency response including “chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence”.

The SEC will have its own medical treatment centre, staffed by doctors and advanced paramedics to deal with minor ailments and injuries and direct delegates to pharmacy services.

Daily attendance at the summit has been capped at 14,000 delegates a day due to social distancing requirements, the equivalent to the capacity of the Hydro.

The papers state: “By way of contrast the three main football stadiums have daily capacity of over 50,000. Many delegates are not staying in hotels in Glasgow but will be travelling daily into the city.

“It is likely that the biggest demand for healthcare will be from activists who will be attending the event and the two activist marches on November 5 and 6. The march on November 6 has been licensed for up to 100,000 people. Additional staffing is being sought for the emergency departments.”