Government calls for 250,000 NHS volunteers to combat coronavirus

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has put out an appeal for 250,000 NHS volunteers to help during the coronavirus pandemic.

The volunteers, who should be “people in good health”, will help to deliver shopping and medicine to 1.5million vulnerable British people.

Mr Hancock said: “Today we launch NHS volunteers.

“We are seeking a quarter of a million volunteers, people in good health to help the NHS, for shopping, for the delivery of medicines and to support those who are shielding to protect their own health.”

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Hancock revealed there will be extra medical staff deployed to fight the virus.

This will be in the form of 11,788 returning doctors, nurses and pharmacists, 5,500 final-year medical students and 18,700 student nurses.

“I pay tribute to each and every one of those who is returning to the NHS at its hour of need,” Mr Hancock said.

The Health Secretary also announced plans for a 4,000 bed hospital at the Excel centre in London.

He said: “We will, next week, open a new hospital – a temporary hospital – the NHS Nightingale Hospital at the Excel centre in London.

“The NHS Nightingale Hospital will comprise two wards, each of 2,000 people.

“With the help of the military and with NHS clinicians we will make sure that we have the capacity that we need so that everyone can get the support that they need.”