Military deployed at London hospitals due to Omicron staff shortages

Support, which includes 40 army doctors, shows ministers can no longer ignore scale of understaffing, union leaders say

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The armed forces are being deployed to help hospitals in London deal with a surge in Covid patients because the Omicron variant is leaving so many staff sick and unable to work.

Of the 200 military personnel involved, 40 are doctors who will help NHS staff look after patients. The other 160 personnel, who have no medical training, will check in patients, ensure stocks are maintained and would also be conducting basic checks", the Ministry of Defence said.