More than 600,000 sign up to help NHS

No fewer than 660,680 people have signed up as volunteers to help the NHS throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
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The latest number was announced by NHS England today (26 March). It far exceeds the target of 250,000 set by Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Tuesday.

More than 500,000 people signed up in just one day.

Volunteers are required for simple but “vital” tasks including delivering medicines from pharmacies, driving patients to appointments, bringing them home from hospital, or making regular phone calls to check on people isolating at home.

Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive said: “The response we are seeing from the public to join us in our country’s greatest time of need is extraordinary, and on behalf of everyone working in the NHS, I would like to thank each and every person who has signed up to volunteer – you will be, without a shadow of a doubt, helping us to save lives.

“These are uncertain times for all of us, but they have shown the kindness of our country, and have highlight once again just how much people value the health service and every single person working in it.”

Members of the public can sign up at goodsamapp.org/NHS to become NHS Volunteer Responders.

Sir Stevens added: “And to anyone else considering joining the ranks of our new volunteer army: the NHS is always there for you, and now is your time to be there for us, and for each other too.”