Military officers ready to help health services

Two military officers have been assigned to NHS Western Isles to help with vital planning and resilience.

Reporting directly to the health board's chief executive Gordon Jamieson, the officers are part of the ongoing UK Government response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Three RAF Puma helicopters are now stationed at Kinloss Barracks in Moray where they will work closely with a Chinook and a Wildcat helicopter based at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, to meet any requests for assistance from NHS boards and trusts across Scotland and northern England.

The helicopters will support medical transport across Scotland and the rest of the UK. The new task force will also be available for general support including moving equipment and personnel across the wider UK.

The aviation support is in addition to a team of army medical, logistics, supply and humanitarian relief planners who joined the Scottish Government's Emergency Co-ordination Centre team in Edinburgh last week.

The team of military planners and liaison officers are now co-locating at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh. A wider team of military liaison personnel is being made available to every health board in Scotland.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: 'The creation of these helicopter hubs is the next step in our armed forces' contribution to tackling the coronavirus outbreak throughout the United Kingdom.

'Our aircraft are ready to support emergency services and communities across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.'