Army Begins Delivering Protective Equipment To Frontline NHS Workers

Fifty British Army personnel have begun delivering supplies to frontline NHS staff battling the coronavirus pandemic.

The soldiers are distributing kit known as personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, safety glasses, gloves, aprons and protective suits.

On Tuesday morning, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said soldiers from 101 Logistic Brigade delivered more than 50,000 face masks to St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

The soldiers had driven overnight from an Army depot in Merseyside to deliver the supplies. 

Brigadier Phil Prosser, Commander 101 Logistic Brigade, Royal Logistic Corps, said: "This is more than just delivering masks - this is a demonstration the British Army is standing side by side with the NHS."

"My normal role is to deliver combat supplies to combat forces in time of war - but we can respond to these challenges and it’s great to stand with our NHS colleagues as we get ready for the challenges ahead."

The delivery of PPE kit follows calls from NHS workers to urgently address the lack of protective equipment.

A letter in the Sunday Times from almost 4,000 NHS workers called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resolve the "unacceptable" shortage.

The letter read "protect the lives of the life-savers".

Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey MP said the work is "just one example" of how the military and NHS will "work together over the coming months".

Military planners are currently working with the NHS to work out which locations need the equipment the most.

Personnel will deliver items to 242 NHS locations as part of the response to COVID-19.

More than 460 personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF will be ready to deliver the equipment to NHS facilities around England, the MOD said.

Other personnel will also deploy to a PPE warehouse to prepare the equipment for dispatch.

On Monday, Emily Lawson, chief commercial officer for the NHS, said: “We need massively increased, urgent volume of these supplies to the frontline in this exceptional set of circumstances.

"We are extremely grateful for the Army’s support in doing so.”

Twenty thousand British military personnel are at higher readiness, as part of the country's response to the coronavirus crisis.