Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: NHS Support

Monday 15 March 2021 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 6 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department of Defence supported the NHS through construction of Nightingale hospitals, PPE distribution, planning and logistical support, scientific advice, testing and vaccine delivery.
  • Defence personnel are seconded to hospitals throughout London for medical and general roles, and MOD is expanding this support for future opportunities.
  • Armed forces personnel in Kent County Council supported the community testing programme and established asymptomatic testing sites efficiently.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve Brine Con
NHS Defence
Context

MP asked about the Department's role in supporting the NHS during the pandemic.

Question

What support has his Department provided to the NHS during the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from James Heappey

The work of our armed forces in supporting the covid response is popular around the country and popular in Parliament, too. Defence has supported the NHS through construction of Nightingale hospitals, PPE distribution, planning and logistical support, scientific advice, testing and vaccine delivery. Currently, the Ministry of Defence provides 199 medical personnel to regional NHS trusts, and 321 general duties personnel are providing a range of support tasks, including support to ambulance services. Some 1,600 defence medical professionals are also embedded in the national health service.

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Q2 Elliot Colburn
NHS Defence
Context

MP thanked MOD personnel and asked about future plans for supporting the NHS.

Question

Will my hon. Friend join me in thanking the hundreds of defence personnel across London who have been seconded to hospitals throughout the pandemic, fulfilling medical and general roles? Will he also outline the plans the MOD has for continuing that offer of support in the coming months?

Answer from James Heappey

I certainly join my hon. Friend, as I hope will the rest of the House, in thanking defence personnel for supporting the NHS across London over the past year. Defence has an enduring presence within the NHS for training and personnel placements. Work is being done to expand that for future opportunities given the experience of our people working alongside brilliant NHS clinicians throughout the pandemic.

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Q3 Laura Trott Con Sevenoaks
NHS Defence
Context

MP thanked 35 Engineer Regiment for setting up asymptomatic testing sites.

Question

Will the Minister join me in thanking the military personnel who set up the asymptomatic testing sites in Sevenoaks and Swanley? The 35 Engineer Regiment managed the whole process swiftly and efficiently, making it as pleasant as possible to visit. They deserve recognition.

Answer from James Heappey

I absolutely join my hon. Friend in praising the fabulous work of the 35 Engineer Regiment and the Kent resilience unit, which supported Kent County Council to deliver its community testing programme and establish the Sevenoaks asymptomatic testing site. Armed forces personnel have been working tirelessly across the United Kingdom to help tackle this pandemic.

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Q4 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
NHS Defence
Context

MP paid tribute to the armed forces' efforts during various crises.

Question

In times of crisis, such as foot and mouth disease 20 years ago, flooding catastrophes and now the coronavirus pandemic, the armed forces have been deployed effectively. Will my hon. Friend join me in paying tribute to the thousands of UK armed forces personnel who bolstered vaccine effort, supported hospitals, assisted with covid testing and much more?

Answer from James Heappey

I thank my hon. Friend for his comments and wholeheartedly join him in recognising the consistency and excellence of support provided by the armed forces both in the past and throughout the covid-19 pandemic. They continue to work on homeland resilience and overseas safety.

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Q5 Steve Brine Con
NHS Defence
Context

MP thanked military personnel supporting South Central ambulance service.

Question

Will the Minister join me in thanking the 35 military personnel who continue to support the frontline team at South Central ambulance service, which serves my constituents? Will he confirm that the MOD will continue to be there by their side as we move towards the end of all national restrictions on 21 June?

Answer from James Heappey

I join my hon. Friend in thanking and acknowledging the fine work of armed forces personnel supporting South Central ambulance service, as well as those who have been supporting ambulance services in north-west, London and Wales. Defence will continue to provide support while assistance is requested and requirement endures.

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Q6 Andrea Jenkyns Con
NHS Defence
Context

MP highlighted support from armed forces during pandemic.

Question

Last summer, I met members of our armed forces in my constituency who were undertaking tests for people who may have covid. These brave men and women are British heroes, and throughout the pandemic they have done everything possible to keep the nation safe. Will the Minister detail steps being taken to strengthen support services for our armed forces and their families?

Answer from James Heappey

My hon. Friend is right to notice just how extraordinary the work of our armed forces has been during pandemic. We have tried to make sure welfare provisions for them are as good as they can be and recognise demands of service life impact on lives and careers of family members.

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