Covid and flu putting massive pressure on NHS, says Health Secretary Steve Barclay
Flu and Covid have put "massive pressure" on the NHS and reducing backlogs caused by the pandemic will "take time", Health Secretary Steve Barclay has said.
Mr Barclay said people with conditions like heart disease had been reluctant to come forward for support at times during the pandemic - and this was a major factor in the demands now being seen. The prime minister's official spokesman acknowledged that "for a number of people seeking to access the NHS this winter it will be very difficult".
In recent days, a number of hospitals have declared critical incidents, suggesting they cannot function as usual because of extraordinary pressure. Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency has reiterated the importance of people wearing masks if they are ill and need to go out.There have been sharp rises in the numbers of people in hospital with Covid and flu in recent weeks - about one in eight beds in England is now occupied by patients with these infections.Having gone to A&E with stomach pain, Michael Woodcock, from Harrogate, was told he needed an emergency operation because his appendix was at risk of bursting.
Labour criticised the government's management of the health service, while the Liberal Democrats called for Parliament to be recalled early.Prof Phil Banfield, who chairs the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, called on the government to "step up and take immediate action".
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