British troops deployed to support London hospitals - RTE

British soldiers are to begin deploying in London to support the NHS amid growing staff shortages due to Covid-19, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

Around 200 armed forces personnel are being made available to hospitals across the city, which has been the epicentre of the Omicron outbreak with a huge upsurge in cases.

The announcement comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said this week that ministers hoped to "ride out" the latest wave without the need for further restrictions in England.

The MoD said the deployment included 40 military medics and 160 general duty personnel to help fill gaps caused by absences of NHS staff unable to work because they were ill or having to self-isolate.

They will be deployed in 40 teams of five - comprising one medic and four support personnel - and will be targeted at areas where the need is greatest.

It is expected they will be "on task" for the next three weeks.