NHS would ‘welcome’ Army help to prop up service during strikes, says health chief

‘We will really welcome their support’, says NHS Providers leader

Emergency help from the Army to prop up the NHS during winter strikes would be “incredibly welcome”, a health service leader has said.

Health and defence officials are drawing up a contingency plan as ambulance drivers agreed to join nurses on the picket lines in the weeks ahead.

Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, said it will be an “incredibly testing time” for the health service due to industrial action.