MAJOR concerns have been raised over how a hospital will cope if staff are forced to take time off and quarantine due to the coronavirus.

Save Southend NHS insisted staffing levels are already at breaking point at Southend Hospital and warned plans to bring back newly-retired doctors to plug gaps simply will not work.

The country’s top medical minds have warned if the situation worsens, anyone suffering a minor cough may be forced to self-isolate, which could leave hospitals short-staffed at a time of major demand.

A spokesman from Save Southend NHS, who works within the hospital, said: “In terms of a contingency plan, all the hospital can do is follow the national guidelines on a day to day basis.

“With the majority of retired individuals being over the age of 65, the idea of bringing in older members who are at high risk of catching the virus out of retirement and into work is beyond ludicrous.

“This just illustrates the Government’s lack of understanding. Bringing former doctors out of retirement would be detrimental to their health.

“It’s likely they won’t be able to practise in the capacity that’s required, so to put them in the frontline where they are the most vulnerable population group is ridiculous.

“You can’t force them out. This is the Government’s way of dealing with a lack of staffing.”

Currently, only people showing symptoms of coronavirus are being asked to self-isolate, but this could be changed to those showing mild symptoms within the next nine to 14 days.

Southend Hospital failed to outline what their contingency plans were when contacted by The Echo.

The health campaign spokesman added: “If everyone that has any symptoms such as a cough is required to self-isolate, this will have a massive impact on our staff. There’s already a staff crisis level as it is – if there is to be people off work for a week in isolation it will cause a significant amount of pressure on the hospital.

If anyone does have symptoms, they should be calling 111, following NHS guidance and contacting their GP.”

As of 9am yesterday, 26,261 in the UK had been tested with 373 positive.