We learned yesterday that more than 600 final-year nursing and allied health students from Sheffield Hallam University have volunteered to join the NHS workforce immediately and help battle the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes 376 nursing students who will be joining the NHS colleagues sooner than anticipated as part of the UK’s response to the virus. The healthcare students are in the final six months of their degrees and will become paid volunteers.

You are probably aware that an SYB NHS member of staff died from coronavirus last week. Plaster technician Kevin Smith, who had worked at Doncaster Royal Infirmary for nearly four decades sadly died last Sunday. Tonight, colleagues around the region remembered Kevin during the 8pm #ClapForCarers and took a moment to reflect and thank him for his care to innumerable patients in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw. He will be missed and remembered always.

Finally, colleagues have been asking about the NHS Volunteer Responders services and the referral process for it. The attached slides outline the process and should be followed in the event support is needed. Please share the slides amongst other colleagues who may find the information useful.

Thank you

Andrew