North West Ambulance Service bosses are planning to request army assistance to help deal with demand, as omicron cases rise and winter pressures continue.
If such a request is approved, it would be the second time during the pandemic, with 120 soldiers enlisted in January last year at the peak of the covid crisis.
However, any military aid would be dependent on the Government’s green light and, with the massive booster drive also reliant on soldiers, it’s unclear if the needed resources would be available this time.
The Manchester Evening News has put the question to the Department of Health and Social Care.
NWAS, meanwhile, have confirmed that they are 'considering' requesting military support for the new year as part of their winter plan.
It comes amid continuing reports of queues at A&E departments across the region, which led last month to a a temporary instruction from bosses for paramedics working in some areas to leave patients after 15 minutes, along with warnings from GPs that they are under increasing pressure.
Also last month, Sir Richard Leese, the outgoing leader of Manchester city Council, warned calling the army would not help hospitals if patient levels meant these 'unqualified people' driving ambulances were going to 'a front door that they can't get through'.
But NWAS Unison branch secretary Jeff Gorman told the Manchester Evening News his bosses were forging ahead to prepare for the 'worst case scenario', adding : “Our management are making a request for military assistance for what it looks like is coming round the corner.
“We are already struggling because of the delays at hospitals and high activity levels.
“All I know is that they are making that request because they have to prepare for the worst case scenario.
“I’ve no idea if we’ll get it, the military are being used for boosters so they may not be available.”
On life for front line paramedics at the moment, he added “Omicron cases are doubling every one-and-a-half days and we are preparing for the worst.
“We already have staff self-isolating with Omicron and I think the way we see it is it’s just going to be like it was at the start.
“Hospitalisations are already horrendous. With it being so highly infectious staff are going to get infected and be self-isolating so our numbers will be reduced. We are going to need any help we can get.
When NWAS’ request for army aid was approved last year it was the first time in the Trust's history it had enlisted military assistance in regions including Greater Manchester in this way, other than to cover strike action.
At that time, Military personnel received NWAS training in driving ambulances, manual handling, kit familiarisation and basic life support. This is a similar skillset to the Trust’s 'patient transport' staff who have who been supporting the emergency service throughout the pandemic.
A North West Ambulance spokeswoman said: “The option to request military support is part of our winter plan and would be actioned should the trust feel it is necessary. The application is not an overnight process and so in readiness for the possibility of needing military support in the new year, the trust is now considering this.”
