I have given my full backing to a Bill in Parliament which would create a new system of volunteer reservists for the NHS, modelled on Armed Forces reservists and police special constables.
I am one of a small group of Parliamentarians invited by the Bill’s author, Alan Mak MP, to co-sponsor the NHS Reserve Staff Bill as it starts its passage in the House of Commons. The Bill, which has the backing of the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, proposes a new, uniformed standing Reserve of clinical and non-clinical volunteers which the York Hospital Trust, which includes both York and Scarborough hospitals, and other Health Service bodies can call upon when staffing demands increase. This might include public health emergencies, seasonal increases in demand, large public events and protests, industrial action and critical incidents such as terrorist attacks or major accidents.
Department of Health & Social Care figures show that, during the Coronavirus pandemic, 47,000 former healthcare professionals, including retired doctors and nurses, volunteered nationally to help the NHS during the Coronavirus outbreak, with another 750,000 non-clinical volunteers signing up online via the GoodSam app. NHS figures show that around 18,000 of the clinical returners are interested in a longer-term role, such as joining the NHS Reserves.
Mr Mak’s proposal would harness this strong public desire to support the Health Service beyond the Coronavirus outbreak by creating a new, permanent NHS Reserves system to provide a formal bank of trained and vetted volunteer staff to support NHS hospitals and Trusts during periods of high demand for staff, supplementing but not replacing the NHS’s permanent staff.
NHS England is currently putting in place pilot schemes in seven Health Service regions across England to explore how the new reservists system could operate in practice, including in Thirsk and Malton. Reservist disciplines would range from clinical roles such as doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and carers to non-clinical roles such as drivers, electricians, logistics specialists, IT experts and communications professionals. NHS Trusts and other healthcare bodies would be able to access the register to call-up reservists with the skills needed at any single time.
I think this is a great idea and I am happy to champion it in Thirsk and Malton and play a leading role in encouraging residents to consider applying to become an NHS reservist in both clinical and non-clinical roles. The new NHS Reserves system will be a great benefit to Thirsk and Malton and enable local people to volunteer their time and skills to help our local hospital, GPs and pharmacies. The pandemic has shown how much people love our NHS and how ready they are to support the Health Service when times are tough, so I hope local people will consider becoming NHS reservists when the system is ready.
Alan Mak MP said “Kevin Hollinrake is a strong NHS supporter locally and in Westminster, so I’m delighted to be backed by such a dedicated colleague to create the NHS Reserves. NHS reservists will benefit the Health Service across Thirsk and Malton and Mr Hollinrake will be an outstanding NHS Reserves champion locally, promoting the new system and encouraging residents to become reservists.”
Matt Hancock MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said “Hundreds of thousands of people have selflessly volunteered to support our NHS during the Coronavirus pandemic, bringing out the very best in us all to help our communities and our country at this difficult time. I want us to build on that incredible collective achievement, and Alan Mak’s proposal for an NHS Reserve force is a brilliant opportunity to make this happen. I strongly support him in his efforts to bring this about.”
