BIRMINGHAM Airport welcomed 21 sick Ukrainian children and their families when they arrived the in UK for life-saving treatment.
The children were being treated at hospitals in Ukraine when Russia invaded three weeks ago.
The children and their immediate family landed on Sunday, March 13, from Poland and were triaged by NHS clinicians to understand their health needs.
Teams from West Midlands Ambulance Service then ferried arrivals to a triage centre and finally on to hospitals across the country.
On Twitter West Midlands Ambulance Service wrote: “We are incredibly proud to have been part of the NHS mission to bring 21 Ukrainian children who needed cancer treatment to the UK.
“Over 50 of our staff were involved in the operation at Birmingham Airport.
“Our staff from both our non-emergency patient transport service and the emergency side transported the children and their family members to a triage centre and then on to their final destination.
“Incredible teamwork from so many NHS staff to get it all sorted so quickly.”
The vital, and in many cases lifesaving, cancer treatment will be provided free of charge by the health service.
Hospitals in Poland have also taken in many children needing healthcare who have arrived from Ukraine.
With more children crossing the border requiring immediate treatment, the UK has responded to Poland’s call for support from international partners to help.
The UK partnered with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a non-profit American organisation which specialises in paediatric diseases, to arrange the flight for the children.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS England chief executive, said: “The situation in Ukraine is deeply shocking and saddening, and the NHS will continue to help in any way we can.
“It is fantastic that colleagues at paediatric hospitals around the country have gone above and beyond to help these children during their greatest hour of need and I would like to thank the staff, volunteers, charities and other partners who have come together to make this happen.”
