highlights the staffing crisis within the nhs. the prime minister has said that the nhs will cope. this is a clear indication that the nhs is not coping. this is too little, too late it certainly does not go far enough to support the nhs in all the ways it needs at the moment. it will help, but it won t solve the problem. nearly 2,000 military personnel have already been deployed across the uk. a further 7,000 are on standby. in scotland, 90 personnel are preparing to assist three health boards, as the nhs braces itself for yet another winter wave of admissions. katharine da costa, bbc news. let s speak now to the retired british army major general tim cross who previously commanded a brigade that included medical regiments, including running medical services. what difference do you believe military personnel can make to the