We are satisfied that it was possible to initiate ECMO in every patient when necessary, there were no cannulation complications and none of the patients deteriorated during transfer. We therefore recommend this model of staffing; it was successful in our experience during an unprecedented increase in demand for ECMO retrieval. It allowed our service to rapidly increase capacity and cope successfully with the sustained pressure over an 8-week period. If there is a further surge in the COVID cases in future, we can reintroduce this staffing model quickly.