NHS Reservist scheme launches in Norfolk and Waveney

Today the NHS in Norfolk and Waveney launches a pilot as part of a national campaign to invite former health workers back into the system.

NHS Reservists is a national project delivered locally with all regions inviting back hundreds of supporters who expressed an interest in helping the NHS during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Today Norfolk and Waveney Health and Care Partnership sends out a rallying cry to those supporters and anyone else interested in returning to the NHS in some capacity working across social, community care, or in local trusts during periods of high demand such as surges, and vaccine campaigns as well as supporting with other roles and tasks where and when required.

The reservist scheme gives great flexibility to returners as they will be committed to work 20 days a year and complete a minimum of five training days.

Norfolk and Waveney Health and Care Partnership will be directly contacting the people who expressed an interest in helping the NHS during the pandemic.

Chief Nurse, Professor Nancy Fontaine said: “We had so many offers of support and we wanted to harness that in a more permanent way. We were able to re-deploy some 400 people back into the NHS locally during the height of the pandemic, and we recognise that there were hundreds of others waiting in the wings to join us.

“We now have a formal process in place with the NHS Reservist scheme and I look forward to welcoming back new colleagues. I urge anyone interested in becoming an NHS Reservist to get in touch with us.”

Anna Morgan,  MBE, who is the Norfolk and Waveney Health and Care Partnership Director of Workforce is sponsoring this initiative and wants to encourage reservists in the first instance to sign up to support the Flu Campaign and the Covid-19 Vaccine Trials as their first role in this new offer.

Anna said: “This is an exciting opportunity for people to help the NHS support our local communities to respond to the ever changing challenges we face in health and care.”

Interested supporters will be invited to join one of four webinars being held from tomorrow during which presenters will explain the scheme, the role of a reservist, and what is involved. Alternative options, such as bank and volunteer services, will be offered to those who decide being a reservist is not for them.

Please email NorfolkWaveneyReservist@nnuh.nhs.uk to receive a pack.