Military support called in to help NHS Lanarkshire staff

The Army has been called in to help NHS Lanarshire staff.

Humza Yousaf requested the military's assistance due to staff shortages in a bid to cut escalating waiting times and improve patient care.

63 military personnel - nurses, Army medics, general troops, drivers and organisers - will be deployed from Tuesday for at least three weeks.

It comes less than a month after the Army was asked to help drive Scotland's ambulances amid a staffing crisis that had caused deteriorating response times.

The health board has recorded its worst-ever compliance with the A&E waiting times target in August, with 5,992 (32.5%) having to wait longer than four hours to be seen.

Mr Yousaf blamed the coronavirus pandemic for the crisis as he revealed the health boards' acute services - such as emergency departments, surgeries and diagnostic services - are operating at maximum capacity.

"he NHS is experiencing significant pressure at the moment because of Covid-19 admissions and the backlog in care built up during the pandemic and we are taking a range of steps to introduce additional capacity in order to help with the unprecedented pressures on the health and care system,'' he said.

"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.

The Health Secretary also cited the £300 million winter funding announced earlier this month aimed at improving hospital capacity, reducing delayed discharges and increasing pay for social care staff.

Brigadier Ben Wrench, commander of the Joint Military Command in Scotland, said "The Armed Forces in Scotland, as always, stand ready to support civil society in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

"The ability of trained military healthcare professionals and their support team to deploy at short notice and provide short-term support to cover a critical gap shows the utility of the armed forces and the strength of the ongoing relationship with partner civilian organisations.''

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack added: "Our fantastic British Armed Forces are playing a key role in helping Scotland's health services at this challenging time.

"They supported all parts of the country during the pandemic, and I'm very glad they are able to step in again to help public services in Scotland in these times of need.

"We are grateful for all their efforts to keep us safe.''

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