‘Your NHS needs you’ – How to become one of the thousands of volunteers needed to help beat the coronavirus

NHS bosses are calling for an army of volunteers to help them assist the most vulnerable in society – many of which cannot leave the house following the coronavirus outbreak.

Earlier this week Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the NHS is looking for around 250,000 volunteers to take part in “simple, but vital tasks”.

Boris Johnson said that more than 400,000 had signed up so far, but the application process is still open.

These volunteers will allow NHS staff to be freed up and redeployed to other areas where they are needed.

Some of the tasks will include:

- Delivering medicines from pharmacies.

- Driving patients to and from appointments.

- Making regular phone calls to check on people who are self-isolating.

Dr Nikki Kanani, NHS Director of Primary Care, said: “Coronavirus is the biggest challenge we have ever faced, which is why we’re rallying the troops and telling the public: your NHS needs you.

“Across the country people are playing their part in the fight against the virus by staying home for the next 12 weeks, to protect themselves and others.

“But many of those shielding will need our support to do that, and by signing up to be an NHS Volunteer Responder, people who are well can do their bit too.”

For more information and to register to become a volunteer, head to www.goodsamapp.org/NHS.