Military assistance requested for NI Health Service
Date published:
The Department of Health can confirm that a further request for military assistance for the Northern Ireland health service has been made by Health Minister Robin Swann.
The Health Minister said: “Our health service is under pressure as never before.
“I am determined to activate any measure that can alleviate the situation in any way.
“The current situation is different to the pressures in the earlier stages of the pandemic. We have the ongoing and serious Covid threat combined with a growing pressure cooker environment right across health and social care.
“Staff are exhausted, having been facing the pandemic and its repercussions day in, day out, month in, month out, for the best part of two years.
“I am deeply concerned about the pressures they are facing. I say this to them directly - please be assured of the heartfelt support and gratitude from me as Minister and from the people of Northern Ireland. Thank you for your ongoing work and dedication and for going far, far beyond the extra mile.
“I am very well aware of just how tough it is. The system simply doesn’t have the capacity to deal with the levels of need and demand coming in.
“Strenuous efforts are being made to mitigate the pressures and to plan for winter.
“We all need to support our health service and its staff. Please do everything you can to stop Covid spreading.
“Please get your vaccine – first and second doses. Getting vaccinated is the single most important thing you can do for the health service and its staff as we face into winter. Every vaccine jab is another brick in the defences of our health service.”
Notes to editors:
1. HSC trade unions will be kept informed of any MACA deployment decision
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