Covid: NHS Grampian military request not yet received by MoD

NHS Grampian asked for military assistance earlier this month

A request for military support by NHS Grampian has yet to be received by the Ministry of Defence more than a week later, BBC Scotland has learned.

On 18 October it became the latest health board to ask for help to relieve pressure ahead of the winter.

The MoD said it had not yet received any request. The Scottish government said it expected to process the request "imminently".

Nicola Sturgeon said it was being "refined to an appropriate degree".

The first minister said: "It's important that health boards do not request things they don't need and make sure that those requests are properly framed. And that work is ongoing."

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It follows appeals from NHS Lanarkshire and the Borders over staff shortages.

It is understood NHS Grampian's call for assistance relates to supporting the Covid vaccine programme in the north east of Scotland.

NHS Grampian has also interviewed student nurses with a view to offering places on its nursing bank, in a bid to alleviate staffing pressures.

'Swinging in the wind'

North East Scottish Conservative MSP Douglas Lumsden, said: "Health boards will only ask the armed forces for help as a last resort — it's a sign of how badly it's needed.

"So any delay by the SNP in getting assistance to the north east is inexcusable. It must be answered to. Humza Yousaf can't wait for a good photo opportunity to act.

"While the services are helping ease frontline pressures in Lanarkshire and the Borders, NHS Grampian has been left swinging in the wind."

North East Labour MSP Michael Marra said "immediate action" was needed by the Scottish government.

He added: "It's particularly concerning that this kind of request has now been sitting somewhere in the Scottish government machine for days, maybe a week, when it's urgent action that's needed on the ground now."

NHS Grampian said the request was continuing to be refined, and it remained "optimistic" that it would receive appropriate support.

A Scottish government spokesperson said: "We have been working with NHS Grampian to refine details of the request. We expect to complete this process imminently, at which point a formal submission will be made to the MoD."

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