NHS volunteers extend support to frontline staff

Frontline health and care staff will be able to access support from the hundreds of thousands of NHS volunteer responders.

Minister for Care Helen Whately announced that NHS volunteer responders will be carrying out socially-distanced tasks including helping with delivering food shopping and dropping off personal medication to frontline staff at their homes.

From 8 June, the NHS volunteer responders will extend their support to health and social care workers across the country, helping them to protect those they care for by making fewer journeys and coming into contact with fewer people so they can focus on and continue their vital work.

Whately said: "The NHS volunteer responders have played a vital role in our response to coronavirus, and I am hugely thankful for their support. Their selfless efforts to protect those who need to shield or self-isolate has helped stop the spread of the virus and alleviated pressure on health and care services during this unprecedented pandemic.

"Following the success of the volunteers scheme, support is now being extended to all our wonderful health and care staff who continue to go above and beyond. We want to support them in whatever way we can to make their lives easier while they continue to support others most in need."

Since the beginning of April, NHS volunteer responders have completed hundreds of thousands of acts of support and kindness, helping vulnerable individuals, the shielded population, and supporting those who are self-isolating or caring for others.

Neil Churchill, Director of Patient Experience, Participation and Equalities at NHS England, added: "Thanks to the kindness of the British public, our army of volunteers have helped thousands of people across the country in their greatest time of need.

"These helpers continue to be on hand to support the most vulnerable people in our society and it is fantastic that this invaluable offer is now being extended to help our dedicated NHS staff who continue to work day and night to care for thousands of people during the pandemic."

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This story was first published in digitalhealth.net

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