Become an NHS Volunteer Responder

Researchers in the UK have launched a coronavirus tracking smartphone app and are urging everyone to use it to help us track the spread of the deadly disease.

Its creators aim to deliver insights into why some people get the disease more severely than others.

They also hope to create a map showing where outbreaks are happening and help distinguish cases from those of the common cold.

The software requires users to share personal details, including their age, height and medical history.

It then asks them to describe symptoms, if they have any, on a daily basis, as well as to give a temperature reading.

It could potentially help the NHS:

• learn how fast the virus is spreading in a particular area, as well as highlighting high-risk parts of the country
• better understand the symptoms, including the differences between those of the virus and the common cold
• explain why some people develop a mild illness while others become critically unwell

All shared data would be anonymised and not used for any commercial purpose. And users could delete all their records when the crisis was over.

As spam and malware skyrocket on the back of the pandemic, people would be wise to be cautious about downloading other apps purporting to help tackle coronavirus.

People wishing to download the Covid-19 tracker can do so from Apple and Google’s app stores.

 

 

Become an NHS Volunteer Responder

Your NHS Needs You! Join our Team today.

The government has launched an urgent appeal for 250,000 volunteers to help the NHS in the battle against coronavirus.

NHS Volunteer Responders has been set up to support the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak. To do this we need an ‘army’ of volunteers who can support the 1.5m people in England who are at most risk from the virus to stay well. Our doctors, nurses and other professionals will be able to refer people in to NHS Volunteer Responders and be confident that they have been matched with a reliable, named volunteer.

You can help by signing up for one or more of the tasks listed below. Once you have registered and checks are complete you will be provided a log-in to the GoodSAM Responder app. Switch the app to ‘on duty’, and you’ll see live and local volunteer tasks to pick from nearby.

This programme enables volunteers to provide care or to help a vulnerable person, which is permitted under the new rules announced by the Government on 23rd March 2020. Volunteers may be asked to show the active task they are responding to if asked.

Volunteers must be 18 or over, and fit and well with no symptoms. Those in higher-risk groups (including those over 70, those who are pregnant or with underlying medical conditions) will be able to offer support by telephone.

Your safety is our priority. The majority of tasks can be undertaken while social distancing and volunteers will receive guidance through our ‘getting started pack’. If you do become ill you can pause your volunteering.

Patient transport drivers will require an enhanced DBS check and will receive guidance to do this role safely, also included within the ‘getting started pack’.

Please complete this form in order to register as a volunteer.