NHS Lanarkshire continues to experience pressure across our acute hospital sites and in primary care services.
To help support staff during this challenging time the Military has agreed to offer assistance by deploying a total of 63 military personnel. This includes three nurses, 45 military medics, 12 General Duties Troops and three drivers who will all be working across our three hospital sites.
Judith Park, Director of Acute Services said: “As we continue to experience pressure across our acute hospital sites due to Covid and workforce shortages we have been fortunate to secure assistance from the military.
“Over the next few weeks our three hospital sites will be supported by a total of 63 military personnel. This includes three nurses, 45 military medics, 12 General Duties Troops and three drivers who will be working across University Hospital Monklands, University Hospital Hairmyres and University Hospital Wishaw.
“Military staff will be on site from Tuesday 19th October initially until 10th November but this will be regularly reviewed.
“NHS Lanarkshire is experiencing significant pressure at the moment because of Covid 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 our health and care system.
“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.
“This military support will allow to support our staff and patients and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff for their continuing hard work and dedication over this particularly busy time.”
