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Created by the Public Governance Directorate

This website was created by the OECD Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI), part of the OECD Public Governance Directorate (GOV).

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Over 0.5 million people volunteer in the UK to help the NHS

Innovative response

504,303 people have (at the time of writing) volunteered to help the National Health Service in the UK.

NHS Volunteer Responders has been set up to support the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak. To do this they 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. The 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.

There are 4 roles - Community Response volunteer: This role involves collecting shopping, medication or other essential supplies for someone who is self-isolating, and delivering these supplies to their home.
Patient Transport volunteer: This role supports the NHS by providing transport to patients who are medically fit for discharge, and ensuring that they are settled safely back in to their home.
NHS Transport volunteer: This role involves transporting equipment, supplies and/or medication between NHS services and sites, it may also involve assisting pharmacies with medication delivery.
Check-in and Chat volunteer: This role provides short-term telephone support to individuals who are at risk of loneliness as a consequence of self-isolation.

Specific issues addressed and anticipated impact

The National Health Service (NHS) is under immense strain because of the coronavirus outbreak. This voluntary scheme is aimed to reduce the burden on NHS staff, by mobilising people from around the country to do various tasks in support of the NHS. It also will enable people stuck at home to leave tehir house and contribute meaningfully to the cause.

Organisations/institutions involved

NHS, GoodSam (Royal Voluntary Service)

Level(s) of government:
  • National/Federal government
  • Non-Profit/Civil Society

Issues being addressed:

  • Patient care
  • Resource management and mobilisation
  • Governance responses
  • Public service delivery under new circumstances

Response tags:

Date Submitted:

26 March 2020