A new drive to recruit NHS reservists has been launched by NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard to help health service staff continue to tackle the severe patient backlogs caused by the pandemic.
The scheme was launched across five sites last year in a pilot which saw more than 17,000 people sign up to new roles.
To be an NHS reservist you do not need any prior medical experience as full training is provided.
Roles available differ depending on where help is needed at each NHS organisation. Current reserves are helping to support the covid-19 and flu vaccinations as well as providing administrative support to wards.
Amanda Pritchard said: “Along with the whole country, NHS staff have had a challenging few years – they have worked incredibly hard to care for over 600,000 people in hospital with COVID, kept routine services going for people who needed them and helped the entire country get back to normal with the successful rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
“Their outstanding work has rightly inspired thousands of people who want to join us in delivering care for millions of people, which is why we are introducing this new drive for NHS reservists.
“Reservists will help us in our time of need but also help those who want a rewarding career in the health service – the roles are flexible and can fit around your lifestyle.
“The challenges for the NHS are far from over – and as we now pull out all the stops to recover services, we once again need the public’s support.
“So if you want to help your community by helping your local NHS – search NHS Reservists today – your NHS needs you”.
The role can be for those who are in full or part time employment, unemployed, students or even retired NHS staff and want to help assist healthcare workers.
NHS reservists form part of a paid, flexible workforce and will form a crucial part of the battle to tackle the extensive backlog.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Former healthcare workers coming out of retirement played a vital role in the national mission to roll out vaccines, as did the many selfless volunteers who came forward to support the NHS.
“We want to build on this invaluable resource as recover and reform, which is why we’re now recruiting an army of NHS reservists. If you want to help the NHS care for patients and tackle the COVID backlog please sign up today”.
Recent figures have shown there are over 1.3 million people working for the NHS in England, 50,000 more than the previous year. This includes 21,000 more professionally qualified clinical staff.
