NHS staff forced to leave their homes ahead of a coronavirus quarantine at Wirral’s Arrow Park hospital

Some of the NHS staff who have been forced to leave their homes ahead of a coronavirus quarantine in Wirral are understood the be deeply upset.

It is believed some of the staff have lived at the accomodation block next to Arrowe Park for as long as ten years.

They have been given just hours to pack their things and move out, with 83 Britons who have been flown home from the Chinese city of Wuhan set to arrive there later and begin a two-week quarantine.

The evacuated staff members are expected to be put up at nearby hotels.

Questions about the welfare and treatment of these staff members are among those being asked of government by Wirral’s MPs.

A statement, signed by Angela Eagle, Margaret Greenwood, Justin Madders, Alison McGovern and Mick Whitley posed several more urgent questions.

The MPs want to know if people will still be able to visit patients at the hospital.

Other enquiries included asking what safeguards are in place to monitor the site and who is enforcing the quarantine.

The five MPs wanted to know if those being forced out of their homes will be compensated and how they are being supported through the disruption.

Wirral West MP, Margaret Greenwood, has been assured by health secretary Matt Hancock that the returning British citizens would be assessed before boarding their flight to the UK.

Mr Hancock also told Ms Greenwood that the Department of Health does not think any of those going to Arrowe Park Hospital from China will be carrying the coronavirus.

The five MPs also wished to reassure their constituents.

The joint statement read: “Local people are understandably very concerned about the news that British citizens travelling back from China will be quarantined in an accommodation block at Arrowe Park Hospital.

“Our concern and empathy is with those being brought to the Wirral under these circumstances.

“It cannot be easy for them or their families and we wish to see the Department for Health take every step to make sure they are comfortable.

“We understand that public health officials will provide guidance to all, and residents can find up to date information at www.dh.gov.uk.”

Any local resident with concerns can contact their own MP who will be happy to act on their behalf.

Local MPs will continue to press for regular updates from the government and will do our best to keep our constituents informed.

George Morgan – Local Democracy Reporter (more here).