Army lends helping hand in war on Covid at Lymington Hospital

AT Lymington hospital, NHS workers were supported by a squad of soldiers in their efforts against the pandemic.

The eight-strong team came from the Royal Engineers 22 Engineer Regiment, based in Tidworth near Andover.

They are helping staff and patients until the end of February, such as issuing masks and hand sanitiser at the entrance, swabbing for Covid-19 tests, and assisting with jobs on the wards.

Su Harvey, operations manager at Lymington hospital, said: “We are delighted to welcome the soldiers from the Royal Engineers who are keen to start supporting us, having already had their vaccinations and infection prevention and control training.

“Their presence is already proving a real morale boost for patients, staff and the local community!”

One of the soldiers, Sapper Perry Bowden, added: “We are really pleased to be able to join the frontline in the fight against coronavirus, as we all share a huge respect for the work of the NHS.

“We’re very keen to get stuck in and demonstrate the solidarity Hampshire’s armed forces share with NHS staff and the local community.”