Case for military assistance in NI Covid battle has ’never been stronger’

The Upper Bann MLA said it is vital that every possible support is available to the hard-pressed frontline healthcare professionals, and that the Army has the necessary medical and logistical expertise to assist in the battle against the coronavirus.

“Now that our hospitals are becoming increasingly overwhelmed and at risk of being unable to fully enact their surge plans, it is clear that the case for enlisting this help has never been stronger,” Mr Buckley said.

“Such assistance would also be transformational in terms of the rollout of the vaccine.

“In Wales, 90 service personnel have been deployed to support health boards to rapidly establish vaccination centres and trained defence medics will also support in administering of the vaccine. This is in addition to 94 military personnel being embedded with the Welsh Ambulance NHS Trust.”

Mr Buckley, who sits on Stormont’s health committee, said that as a “full and integral part of the UK,” Northern Ireland is entitled to access the same world-class support network provided by the military.

“This would bring added-value to the local pandemic response,” he said.

“We welcome the fact that the armed forces have already placed medevac (medical evacuation) capabilities on standby for Covid-19 patients but there is much more that could be achieved.”

Mr Buckley added: “I hope the department and the minister will recognise that the case for military aid has never been stronger. We must ensure that hospitals, health staff and the most vulnerable are left in no doubt as to the political will to protect and defend them in the difficult days to come.”