Lancashire hospitals in urgent appeal for casual cleaners, porters, drivers, catering and laundry staff

Stefanie Johnson, resourcing manager at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, has issued an emotional video appeal to kick start the recruitment campaign.

She said the trust, which runs Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, desperately needs more cleaners, porters and drivers, as well as catering and laundry assistants.

"We really need your help", pleaded Mrs Johnson.

"In our hospitals, we urgently need cleaners, porters, catering staff, laundry staff and drivers.

"These are casual positions to help us at what is an unprecedented moment in our whole lifetime.

"So we really, really want to work quickly. Both staff and patients need your help."

There are currently 71 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lancashire (as of Wednesday, March 25).

But many more people in the county, who have not been tested, are believed to be suffering symptoms of the coronavirus.

Mrs Johnson said the NHS Foundation Trust in Lancashire has been developing contingency plans to help it deal with an influx of patients infected with COVID-19.

This week it has ramped up its recruitment activity, filling vital roles to support overstretched services.

As well as recruiting volunteers and student nurses, the Trust said it is also in urgent need of bank staff who can start immediately.

"We are working so hard behind the scenes to keep our hospitals safely staffed.

"I'm personally leading on this and we have a team of people sat waiting to shortlist applications, do telephone or video interviews, and get people in really, really quickly."

She said interviews will be conducted over the phone or via video call.

Visit the NHS website for more information on the available roles.