Inter-trust staff redeployment: an underutilised mutual aid strategy in the NHS COVID-19 response?

摘要

Editor – Throughout the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals across England, and the south east in particular, were under immense pressure from high COVID-19 infection rates. Many trusts have supported each other in their respective regions through mutual aid. In south-east London during the second surge, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust accepted critical care transfers and inpatient medical transfers from surrounding NHS trusts in the region. This collaborative support has been vital in preventing hospitals in the region from becoming overwhelmed.