The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has provided 75 of its staff to help the London Ambulance Service (LAS) as they deal with the unprecedented demand placed on them due to COVID.
The support being offered to the LAS is similar to the assistance provided to the LAS by the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
LFB blue-light, or EFAD, drivers have been helping medics with the urgent transportation of critically ill patients around the capital since April.
Like firefighters, Met police officers are blue light trained, have Emergency Life Support (ELS) first aid skills, and know London’s streets well, making them ideal partners to assist their LAS colleagues.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said:
“London Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Police Service have worked hand in glove over many decades responding together to all of the most challenging incidents in the recent history of London.
“In the face of sustained levels of unprecedented demand, we are taking steps to help our staff and volunteers care for London by enlisting the help of our MPS colleagues.
“Partnership working with our emergency services colleagues is an essential part of our response to the pandemic and will help us to reach more patients in need of our help during this difficult time.”
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said:
‘We have agreed to provide 75 officers to assist London Ambulance Service. Such partnership working is an essential part of London’s response to the pandemic’.
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