During the COVID-19 pandemic, the attainment of the required hospital workforce is extremely challenging; with a requirement to create surge capacity for COVID-19 care and to ensure and sustain regular hospital care. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic demands the deployment of a flexible physician workforce for the cohort wards in hospitals. This can be successfully be organised and managed if some key principles are followed. Physicians have the ability to practice their general, not specialised, medical skills. COVID-19 specific medical education, re- and upskilling can be necessary. This approach for the future physician workforce may be applicable in several national healthcare systems. Solidarity, flexibility and transparency within the medical staff are the cornerstones for a successful deployment of a physician flex pool in a hospital dealing with a pandemic.