HELP FOR HEROES
Families of NHS heroes who die on coronavirus frontline to get £60k payouts, Matt Hancock announces
FAMILIES of NHS heroes who die on coronavirus frontline will get £60,000 of cash help so they are not left destitute, Matt Hancock announced this evening.
It comes as PM Boris Johnson prepares to lead the nation in a minute’s silence today in tribute to key workers killed by the coronavirus.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
10
10
10
The news came after a cross party group of 50 MPs wrote to Boris Johnson calling for him to set up a coronavirus compensation scheme.
Mr Hancock told this evening's No10 briefing: "Nothing replaces the loss of a loved one.
"We need to do everything we can to support families dealing with this grief.
"And we are looking at other professions who also do not have access to such schemes to see where this may be required."
He said it would cover NHS and social care colleagues who died doing their "essential work" and would be similar to a life insurance policy.
Mr Hancock said that 82 NHS colleagues and 15 social care staff have officially died so far during the crisis, but the figure is thought to be even higher.
More than 90 front line NHS workers are confirmed to have died since 25 March, according to figures from the Press Association.
The BMA says the sum may provide some immediate financial relief, but it could leave families bereft of longer-term financial security, particularly if their loved one was not a current member of the NHS pension scheme or had only recently joined the scheme.
We need to do everything we can to support families dealing with this grief.
Matt Hancock
Dr Vishal Sharma, BMA pensions committee chair, said: "Whilst this single payment may seem a sizeable sum, it comes nowhere near compensating families for the lifetime income their loved one may have earned if they hadn’t died prematurely, fighting this crisis on the frontline.
"This is particularly true for young or recently qualified staff."
Boris Johnson and other ministers will be taking part too, Downing Street said earlier.
It comes after weeks of health workers crying out for more personal protective equipment to help them stay safe from the bug.
Nurses and doctors have told how they have had to wear aprons which don't cover their bodies or were told to rewash PPE to make ends meet.
Ministers have delivered billions of bits of PPE and say they will not end the lockdown until protection stocks can be guaranteed for all workers.
Mr Hancock also revealed at tonight's briefing that more NHS services will be reopened from tomorrow - including for cancer treatment.
He urged Brits to come forward if they need help, adding that "the NHS is open" for anyone who needs it.
10
10
10
10
10
10
Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers. The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM. No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here: .
10
Health workers using new app to flag PPE needs in real time
HEALTH workers on the frontline are using a new data platform to communicate their protective equipment needs in real time during the coronavirus crisis.
Frontline.Live gives health workers the opportunity to say what specific PPE they need and where manufacturers can help, and hopes to match medical staff with the relevant suppliers across the country.
According to the latest data from the platform, PPE needs are highest in the Midlands, London and the South West.
Figures also show that gowns (around 50%) and safety glasses/visors (50%) are the most in-demand items across the board.
From the suppliers who have registered, 70% can provide safety glasses/visors, and 30% can provide gowns to NHS staff in need.
, set up by a team of dedicated volunteers, is free to sign up to, and over 70 suppliers have already joined to help NHS heroes.
Earlier today it was reported that an NHS worker died in her heartbroken husband's arms while gasping for breath after a gruelling battle with coronavirus.
Laura Tanner, 51, collapsed after her breathing "got shallower and shallower" while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
But the mum-of-two tragically couldn't be saved and died in husband Kevin's arms from the deadly disease.
He has now spoken of his grief after NHS locality administrator Laura passed away with her youngest son Kian, 13, still in the home in Basildon, Essex.
The 49-year-old said: "It was horrific - I still have nightmares.
"Laura hadn't been able to get out of bed on most days, or eat, but this day she had got up and was fumbling around downstairs.
"So I went down to check on her and it was like she was having a bad panic attack.
"She was struggling for a breath and was asking me to calm her down.
"I called 999 and got Laura a paper bag and sat with her but her breathing just got shallower and shallower.
"Her eyes went small and I could see it, she was going and then she passed.
"Paramedics came within 10 minutes and four of them worked on her for about an hour then took her away.
"Around 45 minutes later two of them came and knocked on the door and said 'we are really sorry, she's gone'."
Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff
We are urging Sun readers to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.
We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.
A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.” SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”
We are asking our readers to please sign the petition below.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - .
Coronavirus Explained: What’s next in phase two of UK COVID-19 lockdown now Boris Johnson is back?
Topics