British Armed Forces were deployed this weekend to support acute healthcare services in the Borders.
Following a request from the Scottish Government, the Armed Forces are set to deliver another Military Aid to the Civil Authority (MACA) task, providing qualified healthcare professionals to NHS Borders.
British Army medics and nurses will assist staff at NHS Borders to ensure they can continue to provide a high standard of care with the added pressure being caused by COVID-19. Two nurses, 14 medics, four general duties personnel and a driver will assist NHS Borders, whilst two drivers will remain in support at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh. The support personnel are drawn from the Royal Navy, and the medically qualified staff will be provided by the Army. They arrived in Scotland on Sunday 17th October and are set to begin work on Tuesday 19th October, initially providing support until 10th November. This will be reviewed nearer that date.
The military have also provided 114 personnel to support the Scottish Ambulance Service, and 111 general duties personnel to provide support for Mobile COVID Testing Units in Scotland. They have supported Scotland in its response to Covid-19 throughout the pandemic through the MACA process. This has included the provision of military liaison officers who have worked alongside local resilience teams and the Scottish Government. They have also been heavily involved in the vaccine rollout, helping to vaccinate over 100,000 people in Scotland.
The Armed Forces stand ready to step up and support civil authorities, devolved nations and communities as required in the coming months.
Commenting, Scottish Conservative MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk John Lamont said:
“British Armed Forces have played a key role in Scotland’s response to the pandemic. We are, as ever, grateful for all that they have done and continue to do for us here in the Borders. Whenever the NHS has run in to difficulties, our armed forces have been there to help steady the ship.
“Staff at NHS Borders have been working incredibly hard in the most challenging of circumstances over the last year and a half. They have worked tirelessly, with the utmost dedication throughout the pandemic, and I hope that this extra support from the armed forces will help to take some pressure off them.
“Chronic mismanagement of our health services by the SNP Government has compounded issues caused by COVID-19. I am thankful that, in times of need, we can always rely on the UK’s armed forces to step in and support the NHS and other civil authorities.”
Scottish Conservative MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire said:
“Our wonderful NHS Borders staff deserve all the support they can get. This package of military assistance will hopefully provide some much-needed help for acute healthcare services that have borne the brunt of the pandemic.
“This is yet another example of the Union working for Scotland. The British Armed Forces should take immense pride in the part it has played in saving lives during the pandemic.
“I welcome the Scottish Government’s willingness to call upon this help when it is needed, and I hope it serves as a reminder of the vital role our union with the rest of the UK plays in keeping us safe and ensuring our public services can continue to operate effectively.”
Commander of Joint Military Command Scotland, Brigadier Ben Wrench said:
“The Armed Forces, as always, stand ready to support civil society in Scotland and the rest of the UK. The ability of trained military healthcare professionals and their support team to deploy at short notice and provide short term support to cover a critical gap shows the utility of the Armed Forces and the strength of the ongoing relationship with partner civilian organisations.”
