The United Kingdom’s health minister is asking for hundreds of thousands of people to volunteer to help support patients infected with the coronavirus.
Health Minister Matt Hancock put out the plea on Monday, asking for a quarter of a million volunteers for the National Health Service, according to Reuters. The NHS has already asked retired doctors and nurses and final-year medical students to assist at hospitals that are struggling to treat hundreds of coronavirus patients.
“We are seeking a quarter of a million volunteers, people in good health, to help the NHS for shopping, for delivery of medicines, and to support those who are shielded to protect their own health,” Hancock told reporters.
The NHS wants to draw volunteers out of the estimated 1.5 million people who are sheltering in their homes for 12 weeks to avoid spreading the virus to people who are more vulnerable, such as senior citizens and people with preexisting conditions.
“If you are well and able to do so safely, I would urge you to sign up today to help the most vulnerable people in our communities as an NHS Volunteer Responder,” Hancock said in a statement later.
Last week, NHS National Director Ruth May called on retired medical professionals to come back to work for a short time to help see Britain through the pandemic.
“As the health service gears up to deal with the greatest global health threat in its history, my message to former colleagues is, ‘Your NHS needs you,'” May said. “Our wonderful nurses in every corner of the country are preparing to change the way we work so that we can provide the right care for the rising numbers of people who will need it.”
