Andrew RT Davies MS – the Welsh Conservative Senedd leader – has welcomed the announcement today (February 5) that the UK Government has approved an increase in deployment of the UK Armed Forces to assist NHS Wales with the delivery of the Covid vaccination plan here.
The decision was made by the UK and devolved Welsh governments under the terms of Military Aid to Civil Authorities (MACA) and will commence tomorrow.
Mr Davies said:
“This is the largest peacetime resilience operation we've seen in the UK, and I'm delighted to see an increase in the Armed Forces personnel assisting the vaccination programme across Wales.
“As well as the high regard we all have for them, these men and women have the combination of manpower, dedication to duty, logistical expertise, and the right kit to help our civil authorities during this pandemic, and so Welsh Conservatives very much welcome their presence on the ground helping our brilliant NHS, vaccinators and volunteers.”
Notes
- The MACA will provide 96 service personnel to carry out a range of tasks including up to 20 defence medics who will boost capacity by leading teams of local vaccinators
- As part of the latest request, the 96 additional service personnel will deploy from 6 February and are expected to be on task until the end of April 2021. Their progress will be reviewed in mid-February, which is the target for offering a first dose of the vaccine to the top four priority cohorts.
- The review will help UK Government understand the level of demand for the 92 service personnel who have been supporting Welsh Government since early January, and who are expected to complete their duties on February 28.