Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Nadia Breen

Covid NI: Around 100 military medics to be sent to hospitals to support coronavirus staff

Around 100 military medics are to be sent to Northern Ireland hospitals to provide support, it's been reported.

According to Sky News, they are expected to attend Belfast City Hospital and the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.

They added that a third hospital may also receive assistance.

These military personnel will help hospitals in NI deal with the amount of coronavirus patients.

It's understood a source from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the authorisation to deploy the medics had been granted from Friday and the medics are to be deployed in the next few days.

Sky have also reported that a second source said it was thought the personnel would arrive here on September 29 and start work on October 4.

Last week, Health Minister Robin Swann requested military assistance for the NI Health Service as he said "our health service is under pressure as never before".

He added that he is determined to activate any measure that can alleviate the situation in any way and that "the current situation is different to the pressures in the earlier stages of the pandemic".

According to figures released on Thursday by the Department of Health, there are currently 383 Covid-19 confirmed patients in hospital and 31 in intensive care.

Also on Thursday, Minister Swann launched a new workforce appeal to help maintain important surgery in the winter.

The Department of Health says this has been done as "the health service in Northern Ireland struggles to cope with some of the worst pressures ever experienced".

The appeal aims to recruit individuals with the vital skills necessary to address the workforce deficit in specific areas of elective care.

For the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.