COVID: Army To Support South East Coast Ambulance Service

Soldiers from the Royal Logistic Corps are to support the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) over the coming weeks.

An initial group of 36 troops have been deployed to drive ambulances as the service continues to face increased pressure amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The personnel will be based out of SECAmb's Gatwick and Polegate operational areas.

Patient demand will dictate the soldiers' shift patterns and the numbers deployed to drive the ambulances, SECAmb said.

SECAmb Executive Director of Operations, Joe Garcia, said the trust is "very grateful for this additional support from the Armed Forces" which will result in "more ambulances out on the road".

SECAmb is one of several organisations to have requested military support whilst under pressure and has worked with fire services across the region to prepare firefighters for similar roles when needed.

The Royal Logistic Corps, formed in 1993, had a notable role in the UK distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the early stages of COVID-19.

The military has since taken on several support missions to bolster UK virus defences, including, testing, training and vaccination.

Recent deployments have also seen personnel in patient-facing roles in hospitals.

On the SECAmb deployment, Colonel Ian Adkins, Deputy Commander Joint Military Command, South East, said: "Following their familiarisation training, this initial group of military personnel, and a liaison team, will be embedded within South East Coast Ambulance Service.

"They will assist by driving ambulances and supporting the trust as it continues to care for the most vulnerable during the region’s response to the pandemic.

"We will continue to work closely with the trust to provide additional personnel if required."

Cover image: Soldiers from the Royal Logistic Corps with the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Picture: South East Coast Ambulance Service).