YEARS of underfunding and the Government’s ‘anti-migrant policies’ have left the NHS in a poor position to cope with coronavirus, according to health union heads in the county.

Oxfordshire Unison Health branch leaders met on Wednesday night to discuss the branch’s response to the growing spread of the virus.

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An emergency motion criticising chronic underfunding of the NHS and the 'escalation of the staffing crisis' was passed unanimously.

Ian Mckendrick, communications officer for the branch, said : "In January we saw the worst waiting times in A&E in the history of the NHS. NHS staff are already struggling to cope with the winter surges of patients.

With too few staff and too few beds to deal with expected winter surges it is hard to see how the NHS can cope effectively if the coronavirus epidemic becomes as widespread as is increasingly anticipated."

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He said the union wanted to ensure there were 'proper plans' for isolation facilities, adequate stocks and training in use of specialised personal protective equipment, and that staff were consulted about plans 'in good time'.

Mr Mckendrick added: "We would expect the Government to provide this necessary support to the local NHS trusts to cover all the additional costs making the NHS as prepared as possible at this late stage."

So far more than 7,000 people have been tested for the virus with 15 positive.

Isolation pods have also been set up at all hospital with emergency departments, including Oxford's John Radcliffe and the Horton General in Banbury.