UK's Armed Forces efforts recognised by Scottish Secretary
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack hails contribution of UK's Armed Forces to Covid-19 response
An army team supporting the Scottish Ambulance Service with trial of the Epishuttle Medical System. MOD Crown Copyright.
Speaking as it was confirmed that the military has today [6 April] provided a third emergency airlift for a critically ill patient from the Scottish islands, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:
鈥淥n behalf of the whole of Scotland, I would like to offer heartfelt thanks to the UK鈥檚 armed forces for their work in supporting the country鈥檚 efforts to tackle coronavirus.
鈥淚n Scotland the military is providing both the Scottish Government and the NHS with additional specialist skills and expertise. Our armed forces鈥� personnel are doing a fantastic job, showing commitment and dedication, at this challenging time. We are incredibly grateful to them.鈥�
Armed forces鈥� support to tackle COVID in Scotland includes:
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Military planning personnel based in the Scottish Government鈥檚 emergency co-ordination centre at St Andrew鈥檚 House in Edinburgh.
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Officers working with each of Scotland鈥檚 14 NHS boards.
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A liaison team supporting NHS Scotland in the development of a temporary hospital at the Scottish Exhibition Centre.
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Three Puma helicopters deployed to Kinloss Barracks to support the NHS in medial transports.
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The military have recently airlifted three critically ill patients from the Scottish islands (two from Shetland and one from Orkney) to hospitals in Aberdeen and Glasgow.