Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said there is evidence that public enthusiasm for the Covid-19 vaccine has “risen significantly”.
Government figures show that 2,286,572 people across the UK received the first dose of the jab between December 8 and January 10.
During Health Questions, in response to Labour MP Rachel Hopkins (Luton South), Mr Hancock told the Commons: “The good news is that, over the last month, we’ve seen that the proportion of people who are enthusiastic about taking the vaccine has risen significantly and the proportion of people who are hesitant has fallen.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock visits an NHS vaccination centre (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
NHS core staff could leave after coronavirus pandemic due to unsustainable workloads, MPs told NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson told MPs there had been a mismatch in the NHS between rising demand and its capacity for 10 years Joe Gammie, PA 12 January, 2021 12:15
Core staff could leave the NHS after the coronavirus crisis due to the unsustainable workloads they face, a committee of MPs has been warned.
NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said there had been a mismatch in the NHS between rising demand and its capacity for 10 years.
He told the Health and Social Care Select Committee that even before the pandemic, staff had been expected to work harder and harder to cope with this increase in demand.
Peak demand on hospitals might not be reached until “early to mid-February” amid fears “unsustainable” workloads could lead to staff leaving, MPs have been warned.
NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said it was “pretty clear” the Covid-19 infection rate was not going to go down as quickly as it did during the first wave because of the new strain.
He told the Health and Social Care Select Committee that this could push the peak of NHS demand back to February and lead to a higher level and longer period of pressure.
(PA Graphics)
Mr Hopson added: “We were hoping for a sharper peak that came sooner and shorter – so something, for example, where we saw the peak and started to crest it in mid-to-late January.
Dr David Weir, who was in his sixties, had worked for the NHS in North Manchester for 30 years, before moving to East Lancashire during the pandemic
A dedicated and respected respiratory doctor who went on the frontline to fight coronavirus has died from the illness.
Dr David Weir, who was in his sixties, had worked for the NHS in North Manchester for 30 years, before moving to East Lancashire during the pandemic.
He died from Covid-19 in December and is among 216 healthcare workers who have passed away from it.
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Kevin McGee led tributes to Dr Weir today.