The military has been deployed to the frontline of NHS hospitals in London, the first such deployment in England during this winter’s coronavirus wave, underlining the strain the Omicron variant is putting on staffing in the health service as hospitalisations rise.
Some 40 defence medics and 160 other personnel will provide support to hospitals across London for the next three weeks, the Ministry of Defence announced on Friday. Some personnel have already started their postings.
The announcement of the deployment of military personnel into hospitals came after UK prime minister Boris Johnson on Thursday said he would maintain a “voluntary” approach to Covid-19 vaccinations, even as ministers explored plans to toughen up rules against those who are unjabbed.