Appeal for 250,000 volunteers to help the most vulnerable

UP TO 250,000 volunteers are being urged to come forward to ensure the most vulnerable people receive shopping and medicines.

Anyone over 18 who is in good health can come forward to join an “army” of volunteers to protect the 1.5 million people in England who are most at risk.

GPS and nurses will be able to refer those in such circumstances – who include those who are immunosuppressed – to an NHS volunteer responder who matches their needs.

Volunteers can choose from local tasks, which could include picking up medicines, shopping or driving patients to hospital appointments or making regular phone calls to check on people isolating at home.

Urging the public to comply with government instructions about social distancing, and to also assist in the volunteer effort, Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, last night said: “In these extraordinary times, it’s essential that we all pull together as part of the national effort to protect the most vulnerable, reduce pressures on our NHS and care system and save lives.

“If you are well and able to do so

‘Your NHS needs you. A single action from one person can be the difference between life and death’

safely, I would urge you to sign up today to help the most vulnerable people in our communities as an NHS volunteer responder.” He said more than 35,000 extra staff have already joined up to help fight against the virus, including retired doctors and student doctors and nurses.

Those in higher-risk groups (including those over 70, those who are pregnant or with underlying medical conditions) will be able to offer support by telephone. Dr Nikki Kanani, NHS director of primary care, said: “Your NHS needs you. A single action from one person can be the difference between life and death for another, and simple acts of kindness are going to make all the difference in keeping some of the most vulnerable people well and out of hospital.”

Mr Hancock said 11,788 recently retired NHS staff had responded to return to the service, including 2,660 doctors, more than 2,500 pharmacists and other staff and 6,147 nurses.

Some 5,500 final-year medics and 18,700 final-year student nurses will also move to the “front line” next week.

All volunteers joining the NHS scheme will need to undertake training and background checks that are appropriate to the roles they sign up for.

Sign up to become an NHS volunteer responder at goodsamapp.org/nhs.