Swann expects answer to his appeal for military aid ‘in very near future’

This request reportedly entails asking for 100 armed forces medics to help existing medical workers during October.

Hundreds of soldiers have already pitched in and helped the civil authorities in Northern Ireland throughout the Covid crisis.

The health minister had announced last Thursday that he was requesting further military aid to his department.

At the time he said: “Our health service is under pressure as never before.

“I am determined to activate any measure that can alleviate the situation in any way.

“The current situation is different to the pressures in the earlier stages of the pandemic. We have the ongoing and serious Covid threat combined with a growing pressure cooker environment right across health and social care.

“Staff are exhausted, having been facing the pandemic and its repercussions day in, day out, month in, month out, for the best part of two years.

“I am deeply concerned about the pressures they are facing.

“I say this to them directly - please be assured of the heartfelt support and gratitude from me as Minister and from the people of Northern Ireland. Thank you for your ongoing work and dedication and for going far, far beyond the extra mile.”

More from the News Letter:

Click here: DUP minister launches scheme for ‘pupils who menstruate’ – avoiding any mention of females

Click here: Top Orangeman: Michael D Higgins is an irrelevant foreign head-of-state

Click here: Investigation of dissident republican-linked charity still unfinished three years on

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptionsnow to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Ben Lowry

Acting Editor