Yahoo News Ukraine war: Doctor tells of 'relief' among families as 21 children arrive in UK for life-saving cancer treatment
A doctor who led a medical team which evacuated 21 Ukrainian children with cancer to the UK for life-saving treatment has told Sky News of the "sense of relief" among the families over the rescue mission.
The children, who were being treated in Ukrainian hospitals when Russia invaded the country, and their immediate family members arrived from Poland on Sunday evening.
Dr Michael Griksaitis, a consultant paediatrician who specialises in intensive care at University Hospital Southampton, said his team had been "privileged and honoured" to get the children back to the UK.
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Speaking to Kay Burley on Sky News, he said: "They started off obviously afraid. Some of the stories of what these children had been through - I can't even begin to imagine.
"To have that on its own is bad enough for anyone - but to have that whilst having treatment for cancer, it was just astronomical.
"So when they got on that plane, they were scared, they were afraid. Language barrier was a problem - we had some incredible translators.
"As the plane took off, you almost saw a sense of relief that these families knew that their children were going to get treatment and that they had a chance of surviving their cancer.
"And actually on landing, children that initially wouldn't make eye contact and were terrified were high-fiving, playing, smiling."
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He added: "This was an incredible collaboration across all parts of the NHS. Primarily frontline children's hospitals that were able to put together a critical care transport team departed by oncology colleagues made up from University Hospital Southampton and Birmingham Children's Hospital.
"This all happened quite quickly, quite efficiently and was quite an emotional experience, actually.
"We were just privileged and honoured to be able to help get them out of the country and get them to England and the UK where we could provide ongoing support for them because without this ongoing care they would die."
The age range of the children was "vast" - from babies to teenagers - with some described as being critically ill.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "I am proud that the UK is offering life-saving medical care to these Ukrainian children, who have been forced out of their home country by the Russian invasion while undergoing medical treatment."
UK scheme to house Ukrainian refugees
Meanwhile, a scheme to get people in the UK to house Ukrainian refugees in their spare rooms for at least six months will be launched today in the hope that people could start hosting in a week's time.
People keen to offer refugees shelter in the UK will be able to register their interest in sponsoring Ukrainians through the government's new humanitarian scheme from today.
Read more: Tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees could come to UK - with £10,000 funding per individual
Britons taking part in the "Homes for Ukraine" scheme will receive a £350-a-month "thank you" from the government.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said the process of matching Britons with people fleeing the conflict will take place from Friday.
On Sunday, it was disclosed that more than 3,000 visas had been issued to Ukrainians seeking refuge in the UK, with "tens of thousands" potentially set to benefit from the new humanitarian scheme.
Mr Gove also announced that local authority areas would be entitled to more than £10,000 per Ukrainian refugee using the fresh route to the UK.
He told Sky News: "For each individual who comes, just over £10,000 per individual will be available to local authorities.
"And then there'll be additional payments for those children who are of school age and need to be accommodated within the education system.
"Everyone will have access to full NHS care, including mental health."
Boris Johnson has confirmed the UK will supply Ukraine with more than 500 portable generators to help ease the power cuts currently crippling the country.
The generators will provide energy for essential services, including at hospitals and shelters, and will generate enough energy to power 20,000 homes.
The prime minister is preparing to embark on a series of meetings with Nordic and Baltic leaders this week as he seeks to bolster European resilience following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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During this week's Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in London, he will urge leaders to work together to ensure no further nations fall victim to President Vladimir Putin's aggression, Number 10 said.
Mr Johnson will host the group for dinner at his official country residence, Chequers, this evening.
The coalition will then meet in London on Tuesday, before the prime minister is joined by the leaders of Finland and Sweden at Downing Street in the afternoon.
