Posted on 03/17/2020 5:37:13 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The Government is considering introducing the emergency registration of retired nurses and other health professionals as part of its ‘battle plan’ against coronavirus.
Latest official figures show 115 people have now tested positive for Covid-19 in the UK and one person has died.
Health secretary Matt Hancock announced last weekend that the next phase of the Government’s response to the virus could see broader measures introduced to ‘relieve pressure on the NHS’.
‘Staff rostering changes may be necessary, including calling leavers and retirees back to duty,’ stated the action plan, set out earlier this week.
The introduction of emergency indemnity coverage for health care professionals ‘to provide care or diagnostic services’ is also being considered, the Department for Health and Social Care said.
However, nursing leaders warned that there might not be enough time to train returning staff.
RCN director of nursing policy and practice Susan Masters said: 'As the plan acknowledges, some nursing staff will inevitably be affected by the virus. With the right safety measures and regulation, retired nurses could provide important support for staff currently working in the NHS and social care services.
‘But senior nurses already spend a great deal of time supervising and mentoring more junior colleagues and nursing students, so the issue will be whether they have the capacity to extend this to returning retired staff. Any legislation being considered will need to be carefully scrutinised to ensure that safety for patients and healthcare staff is the priority.’
The Government's battle plan comes as it prepares for up to a fifth of the UK's workforce to be off at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime minister Boris Johnson said: ‘I fully understand public concern, your concern, about the global spread of this virus. And it is highly likely that we will see a growing number of UK cases.
‘And that’s why keeping the country safe is the government’s overriding priority. And our plan means we’re committed to doing everything possible based on the advice of our world leading scientific experts to prepare for all eventualities.’
Future patients?
England.
Oh, good. Call in retired ELDERLY people to deal with a virus that’s particularly dangerous to the elderly.
That was my first thought :(
I’d tell them “Thanks, but No Thanks.”
Future patients?
Exsactly.
What could be more stupid than to drag older people back into hospital service when it has been established that older people are much more likely to suffer severe consequences.
A wonderful way to reward them for their previous service....poison them!
Hmmmm. Johns Hopkins lists 1,960 cases and 56 deaths. Big difference. Which is right?
Yep. England has lost it’s mind. But, then, again. They never cared about life when I lived there.
My sister just retired,but she is also a one year survivor of cancer.
“Ride Me Down Easy” by Bobby Bare. Sorta tells how you get treated or in Italy don’t get treated.
Use the med students.......They’re younger and let them get credit for it.
They want to kill their elderly. I know. The NHS killed my FIL because he was “too old to treat”. Made him die at home.
That was my first thought.
I think I heard today that Italy is allowing many young docs to start working before taking their finals. That sounds like a better idea.
This. Also, how about those that are veterinarians? Wouldn't they have sufficient medical knowledge to be quickly ramped up to assist?
I’d trust my vets more than I’d trust most doctors.
GRAVEDIGGER Why, because he was mad. He shall recover his wits there, or, if he do not, it’s no great matter there. ( Act 5 Scene 1)
Absolutely....But they have their own business to run. There are thousands of med students...Even first year med students can do support. Calling nurses is because they can give meds.
Retired nurses to government: let the democrats handle it...they’ve got all the answers.
More help at the hospital, less strain on the pension system. Win-win. /s
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