‘Student army’ sign up to help frontline staff

HUNDREDS of students have stepped forward to help NHS workers during the Covid-19 crisis in Greater Manchester.

Food shopping, babysitting and manning GP receptions are just some of the tasks students are taking on to ease the burden on health workers.

The ‘army of students’ was the brainchild of Saif Khan, a fourth year medical student at The University of Manchester.

Saif noticed the concerns of NHS workers on social media, with many worried about balancing their home life with the demands of their job during the coronavirus outbreak. He put a shout out on Facebook for volunteers and was inundated with offers to help from fellow students.

More than 450 students have now signed up to the Manchester National Health Supporters.

“Within just a few days we have created a movement across the country of students who have NHS workers’ backs. We’re here to help them so they can focus on the day job,” Saif said. “We’re in a unique position – unlike final year students we can’t be fast-tracked into junior doctor level posts, but we all have DBS checks and first aid training to help NHS workers with babysitting and working in GP surgeries on reception.”

Rachael Middleton, 22, also a fourth year medical student, has chosen to stay in Manchester so she can support the NHS.

She currently helps a GP out with babysitting and volunteers at Salford Royal’s A&E unit. Her duties include running blood samples to the lab and re-stocking staff ’s PPE.

“A lot of us have time on our hands and wanted to do something to help,” Rachael said. “We’re not yet fully qualified so we can’t help in a clinical capacity, but we can help those who need to go to work.

“This is something that’s really simple that will hopefully make a difference. I help a family who have a nine-year-old boy. His father works as a GP, so he’s working long hours.

“I help his son with homework or playing games. It’s fun for me.

“Other people I know are picking up groceries for people who don’t have a car or the time to go shopping. We help anyone who works for the NHS. Doctors, nurses, health care assistants.”

She added: “Everyone I know from my year wants to help – it comes with our profession.”

The Manchester National Health Supporters services are being promoted in hospitals across Greater Manchester and are keen to take more volunteers.