Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Military medics step in to help hospitals
Military medics are being called in to assist NHS Lanarkshire for the next month as the health board “continues to experience significant pressure”.
A total of 63 military personnel – three nurses, 45 medics, 12 general duties troops and three drivers – are now working across Monklands, Hairmyres and Wishaw General hospitals.
The health board suspended non-urgent operations in August amid “unprecedented” pressures of Covid cases, staff shortages and rising patient numbers at its emergency departments, while army drivers were last month brought in to assist the ambulance service across Scotland.
Judith Park, NHS Lanarkshire’s director of acute services, said: “We are experiencing significant pressure at the moment because of Covid admissions and the backlog in care built up during the pandemic and are taking a range of steps to introduce additional capacity.
“Staff shortages because of Covid-19 are affecting bed capacity, and the approval of temporary military assistance on our hospital sites is very welcome over the next few weeks as we begin to see winter illnesses circulate alongside Covid, adding to the pressures we face.
“As we continue to experience pressure across our acute hospitals due to Covid and workforce shortages we have been fortunate to secure assistance from the military. Staff will be on site initially until November 10 but this will be regularly reviewed.”
She added: “This military support will allow us to support our staff and patients. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff for their continuing hard work and dedication over this particularly busy time.”
Lanarkshire is one of two health boards to receive military support, along with NHS Borders, with health secretary Humza Yousaf saying: “This will allow both to support existing staff to reduce waiting times, enhance care and provide a better experience for our patients.
“With increasing levels of social mixing and close social contact, it is expected that this winter Covid-19 will circulate alongside respiratory viruses such as flu, adding to the winter pressures usually faced by the NHS.”