THOUSANDS of former doctors and nurses across the UK have been rejoining the workforce in the fight against coronavirus, including Wrexham’s Member of Parliament.

Sarah Atherton, who was elected as Wrexham’s first Conservative MP in December, has pledged to join healthcare workers in the battle against coronavirus by offering her time to the NHS where possible.

Prior to her role in politics, Mrs Atherton trained as a nurse at the Maelor Hospital and Bangor University making progress to become a district nurse. She also worked as a social worker in North Wales, specialising in older people and mental health.

She said: “These are unprecedented times and, as a member of the Wrexham community, I want to do what I can.

“As a nurse, who a few years ago completed my return to nursing practice and with my currency in social work, these are skills I have volunteered to help alleviate some of the pressures on our hardworking frontline staff.”

Mrs Atherton said that, as she votes on emergency measures this week for Parliament, she is awaiting a response as to where the NHS think she will be best placed to help the country through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Conservative MP said that, wherever she is needed, she would offer a couple of days a week as a volunteer to the NHS and complete any of her Constituency and Parliamentary work on the other days.

She added: “I urge anyone who is healthy, able and who has been on the nursing register within the last three years to consider helping out where they can.”

Retired doctors and nurses across England and Wales were approached by letter asking them to return to the NHS to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak.