NHS and emergency services praised for response to terror attack

The British Medical Association (BMA) has sent its deepest sympathies to families affected by the terrorist bombing in Manchester and praised the rapid response of the NHS and emergency services.

Following the bombing, in which 22 people were killed and 66 injured, more than 60 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. The injured were treated at eight hospitals across the city.

Kailash Chand, BMA north west regional council chair, said: “My heart goes out to the victims and their families in Manchester, the city I love and have lived and worked in all my life. Manchester has seen terrorist acts before, no act of terror can shake the strength and resilience of Mancunians.

“Local hospitals in Manchester were flooded with the injured. We pay tribute to the police and emergency services who have worked valiantly to save lives last night. At this tragic time you want the NHS and emergency services to be at their best, and we are proud that but for them, the losses would have been much greater.’

Prime minister Theresa May also paid tribute to the ‘many paramedics, doctors and nurses who have worked valiantly amid traumatic and terrible scenes to save lives and care for the wounded’.

Manchester mayor Andy Burnham thanked the NHS workers and police who ‘worked through the night in the most difficult circumstances imaginable’.

Mark Porter, BMA council chair, said: “It is clear, that as with so many of these events, healthcare staff responded to the incident with courage and humanity, sometimes putting the needs of patients above their own. Their professionalism is a credit to them.”