Army of 1,000 answers NHS call for helpers

An army more than 1,000 strong has signed up to support NHS Tayside in the Covid-19 fight.

Less than a week after the call was put out for help in a range of roles, health chiefs have revealed the “incredible” response for helping hands.

NHS Tayside issued a job advert last Friday looking for people who could provide additional support to critical non-clinical services during the pandemic.

The advert was promoted on NHS Tayside’s social media sites and so far more than 1,000 local people have offered to work in areas such as catering, domestics, portering, laundry, estates, administration and many others.

The responses are being handled through a newly-established staff deployment centre who will contact each individual to call upon their help when most needed. The team will also ensure they have the right training and support they need.

NHS Tayside workforce director George Doherty said: “I have been overwhelmed by the amazing response and am so very proud of the people of Tayside.

“On behalf of everyone in NHS Tayside, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has reached out to offer help. Their efforts and assistance will help make such a difference to the lives of those who need our care most right now.

“I would also like to thank the team who have come together at short notice to create the staff deployment centre.

“A huge amount of work has been done to get the centre up and running and it will be a critical part of our planning as we move forward.”

Anyone still interested in applying for any of the roles should email cov19staffhub.tayside@nhs.net

NHS Tayside workforce director George Doherty says he is overwhelmed by the positive response to a plea for help.