1% NHS pay offer during pandemic is “worst kind of insult” say unions

 A row has erupted after a UK government proposal of a 1% pay rise for most NHS workers in England.

The government proposal has been submitted to the pay review body for the health service.

Milestone for NHS as 15m in UK receive first Covid vaccine

 The UK has passed a major milestone with more than 15 million people given their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

UK government warns public to “follow the rules” as calls grow for tougher lockdown

The Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned that the public to strictly abide by the current lockdown rules. He warned that the pressure on the NHS was now “very very bad”.

 

Covid vaccine: How does a vaccine get approved? - BBC News

 

The NHS is carrying out the biggest mass vaccination campaign in its history with a jab that protects against Covid-19. Some people have been surprised to learn how a process which usually takes at least ten years could have been done in less than one.

Hospitals approach “critical point” as millions wait for routine treatment

 

The damage being done to many hospital services in England by the coronavirus pandemic is revealed in new NHS figures.

Boris Johnson warns of “critical moment” as deaths rise and pressure grows on NHS - BBC News

 

The United Kingdom is at a “critical moment” in the battle against Coronavirus, according to Boris Johnson. He has warned that he won't hesitate to put further measures in place if necessary.

A million people download new NHS contact-tracing app on day of launch

 

NHS cancels operations as government admits Covid testing faces “enormous challenge”

 

There have been more warnings of serious problems with the coronavirus testing system. Senior figures in the NHS have said that operations are being cancelled because of testing shortages.

Hospital waiting lists hit record high for routine treatment in England

 Hospital waiting lists for routine operations and treatments in England are now at a record high.

More than two million people are having to wait more than 18 weeks to be seen - and more than 80,000 have waited for more than a year.

Scum Bags Always Appear During Major Disasters

Need to make a quick profit? Are you unscrupulous, have few ethics and just as morals? Then profiting off the coronavirus pandemic while working for the government makes you a perfect candidate for the scumbag awards.

David Singleton who is the head of procurement for the U.K.'s National Health Service decided that he just wasn't making enough money at his current position so, thinking to exploit the coronavirus pandemic for profit do to the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) set up a company which sells ppe all in an effort to improve his financial situation.


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Asked about the findings of the investigation, Singleton said he disclosed his business to superiors in the NHS, in accordance with the rules, and was told there was “unlikely to be a conflict”.

A website for Singleton’s company, Sure Stock, which marketed PPE to private sector and NHS clients, made no reference to Singleton or his role in the health service. But in a phone call with an undercover reporter posing as a potential client, Singleton confirmed he was running the business. He said he was trading as a “sales agent” between suppliers and buyers of PPE.

Asked later whether he was exploiting his NHS expertise and contacts, Singleton said in a statement that he was not “directly involved” in responding to the PPE shortage in the NHS “as my role does not involve purchasing or procuring of these products”.

However, information collated by the Guardian, including internal NHS email evidence, suggests Singleton may have been involved in procuring PPE supplies. Asked to respond to a request for comment about the email evidence, Singleton replied “no comment” and hung up the phone. The NHS declined to comment on the email evidence.

Trump blames China; UK mourns victims; First countries ease restrictions

The British public will hold a minute's silence today to pay tribute to frontline workers who've died after contracting Covid 19. The government has announced it will make a 60,000 pound compensation payment to families of health workers and social care staff who die fighting the outbreak. After years of underfunding, and now a severe lack of personal protective equipment, the pandemic has laid bare the crisis within the UK's national health system.

Coronavirus: Royals praise 'stoicism' of NHS workers - BBC News

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have spoken about their hopes the coronavirus outbreak will bring the global community together. In an interview with the BBC's Tina Daheley, Catherine said the crisis would "dramatically change how we all value and see our front-line workers". The pair emphasised the importance of the public protecting their mental health during the lockdown.

Coronavirus: 'Herculean effort' to provide NHS protective gear - BBC News

The UK will now ensure daily deliveries of personal protective equipment to frontline workers, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said. He told the daily coronavirus briefing it had been a "Herculean effort", after criticism the government was not doing enough to protect critical NHS staff. Officials told the briefing the lockdown was "beginning to pay off" but it was still a "dangerous situation".