Military support for Welsh Ambulance Service to be more than doubled amid 'extreme pressure'
The number of military personnel supporting the Welsh Ambulance Service will more than double in the new year as the service battles against "extreme pressure".
An additional 184 armed forces personnel will be made available as drivers to support the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust from January 4, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
Since October there have been 129 personnel supporting the service as drivers. Thursday's announcement will take the total number to 313.
The deployment has also been extended until the end of March, the MoD said.
The chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, Jason Killens, said: "Having our armed forces colleagues will help us put more ambulances on duty so we can get to more patients, more quickly, while the extreme pressure continues."
It follows 98 military personnel supporting the Welsh vaccine booster programme last week. In addition to drivers, that now brings the total number of armed forces personnel assisting with pandemic-related support in Wales to 411, according to the MoD.
Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said the armed forces "continue to play a key role in the fight against Covid-19 in Wales".
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "Over the festive period our servicemen and women will continue to provide vital support to our dedicated emergency services across the UK to help keep communities safe.
"The uplift of 184 extra personnel to support the ambulance service in Wales will ensure they can continue to provide life-saving services to those most in need."
Mr Killens said: "We're very grateful to have the continued support of the military who did a superb job of assisting us on two occasions previously."
He added: "The winter period is our busiest time and having military support will bolster our capacity and put us in the best possible position to provide a safe service to the people of Wales."
On Wednesday Wales recorded its highest ever figure for daily coronavirus cases, with more than 4,500 registered by Public Health Wales.
Dr Meng Khaw, national director for health protection and screening services for Public Health Wales, said: "As we have indicated previously, a rapid increase over the coming days and weeks is expected."
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