Sandwell Mayor, Councillor Dr Ann Jaron, is joining the ranks of thousands of former NHS staff who are coming back into service in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Councillor Jaron previously practised as a GP just over the Sandwell border in Edgbaston, for more than 30 years. She stepped down as a partner GP from the centre last summer so she could focus on her Mayoral duties during 2019/20. Councillor Jaron said:

“I always planned to go back in to medicine in some capacity following my year as Mayor. With the current situation being very difficult and extremely challenging for everyone I decided to volunteer now to see what I could do to support my NHS colleagues during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I will be working within a GPs’ surgery, which is what I know best, supporting patients in our local area.”

Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England, confirmed at the weekend that the number of former NHS professionals who had volunteered now stood at more than 15,000.

Councillor Jaron added that Sandwell Council was working extremely hard to support those residents who needed help and urged them to look at the council's website for the most up-to-date information about council services.