Troops are getting ready to support NHS hospitals in London through the current wave of Omicron cases and staff illness.
However, staff absences are now higher in many other regions of England than in the capital, NationalWorld analysis of official figures shows.
About 200 military personnel are being drafted into London’s hospitals to plug staffing shortages, while 150 staff will support the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) from next week by driving ambulances, helping to lift patients and offering life support.
It comes as NHS England data shows that weekly staff absences in London fell in the week to 2 January but rose in every other region.
In the North East and Yorkshire, an average of 16,670 staff were off work each day between 27 December and 2 January - 7,354 of those were related to Covid.
In the capital, a daily average of 10,025 staff were poorly or isolating during the same time frame - 5,119 of which were because of the virus.
However, the number of hospital staff in each region will vary.
The North West of England has seen the biggest rise in staff absences week-on-week, with an average of 15,363 staff off each day in the week to 2 January, a massive 24% rise on the week before.
At least 25 hospital trusts in England have now declared a critical incident with services under threat.
Here’s a look at the top ten hospital trusts in England with the biggest rise in weekly staff absences, as of 2 January.
1. East Cheshire NHS Trust
The North West trust, saw a 81% rise in staff absences week-on-week, as of 2 January.
2. Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
The North West trust, saw a 73% rise in staff absences week-on-week, as of 2 January.
3. Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The Yorkshire trust, saw a 62% rise in staff absences week-on-week, as of 2 January.
4. North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
The North East trust, saw a 61% rise in staff absences week-on-week, as of 2 January.