Retired doctors could be called up as ministers unveil coronavirus 'battle plan'
2 min read
Ministers have unveiled their “battle plan” for a potential COVID-19 pandemic - including calling up newly-retired doctors.
If the situation worsens, the Government is considering the emergency registration of health professionals who have recently retired to tackle NHS staff shortages.
Other measures being considered include encouraging home working and relaxing pupil-teacher ratios in schools.
Departments will also be designated a ministerial virus lead to coordinate responses, and the Government will convene a “war room” to share information
Boris Johnson is set to chair an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday, with the full updated battle plan set to be published later this week.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Johnson said: “We must prepare for Coronavirus and listen to the advice of the Chief Medical Officer – especially about the importance of washing our hands with soap.
“We should be doing that for 20 seconds, and more often than we would normally think was necessary. This will make a real difference in stopping this virus spread.”
“Coronavirus may very well be a challenge in the weeks and months ahead. But I have no doubt that with the help of the NHS and its incomparable staff this country will get through it – and beat it.”
The announcement comes as three further people tested positive for the virus in the UK, bringing the total number of cases to 23.
Meanwhile senior NHS officials have warned that hospitals will struggle if the outbreak worsens due to staff shortages and limited number of beds.
One NHS executive told the Observer: “About 17% of people who contract the virus need some sort of medical intervention.
“So if this properly catches hold you have a 17% increase in the number of people coming through the NHS’s door, and then everything falls over.”
Another said: “If you have a coronavirus outbreak it will be a nightmare.
“How will we create the extra capacity that we will need? All hospitals are already full. It will be really, really difficult if we get loads of people with this.”
The UK is currently in the “containment” case of tackling the virus, which involves isolating those affected and tracing those who have come in contact.
Health officials remain confident that this may be enough to prevent a pandemic occurring, and so far over 10,000 people have been tested for COVID-19.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
