Children harmed by decision to redeploy health visitors, Covid inquiry hears

Children harmed by decision to redeploy health visitors, Covid inquiry hears

Vanessa ClarkeEducation reporter Getty Images A decision by the NHS to redeploy health visitors during the pandemic was “fundamentally flawed” and “children were harmed” as a result, the head of a health visiting charity has told the Covid inquiry. Many health visitors were sent to work in other parts of the NHS at the beginning … Read more

Pharmacies facing angry patients over Covid jab confusion

Pharmacies facing angry patients over Covid jab confusion

Nick TriggleHealth correspondent and Jim ReedHealth reporter Getty Images Covid vaccination Pharmacists in England say they are facing “major issues” with large numbers of patients booking appointments for Covid jabs only to find they are no longer eligible. The criteria has been tightened this year so that only those aged 75 and older are being … Read more

Cold, flu and Covid symptoms: Expert advice and how to avoid the worst

Cold, flu and Covid symptoms: Expert advice and how to avoid the worst

Dr Oscar DukeDoctor and BBC Morning Live expert, London Getty Images Chances are you know someone coughing and spluttering – hopefully not directly on you – right now. There are lots of coughs and colds doing the rounds as autumn draws in. But why now, how do you know if it’s more than just a … Read more

Covid cases rising with new variants ‘Nimbus’ and ‘Stratus’

Covid cases rising with new variants ‘Nimbus’ and ‘Stratus’

Michelle RobertsDigital health editor Getty Images If you feel unwell with a bad throat and a temperature you may well have caught one of the new strains of Covid circulating this autumn. XFG, called Stratus by some, and NB.1.8.1, known as Nimbus, are now the most common variants being passed around in the UK, according … Read more

Covid care home policy was ‘least worst decision’ – Hancock

Covid care home policy was ‘least worst decision’ – Hancock

Former health secretary Matt Hancock has denied claims the government’s attempt to throw a protective ring around care homes in 2020, early in the Covid pandemic, was empty rhetoric. In an irritable exchange he urged the Covid Inquiry to focus on the substance of what the government was doing at the time. Mr Hancock said … Read more

Covid care home policy was ‘least worst decision’ – Hancock

Covid care home policy was ‘least worst decision’ – Hancock

Former health secretary Matt Hancock has denied claims the government’s attempt to throw a protective ring around care homes in 2020, early in the Covid pandemic, was empty rhetoric. In an irritable exchange he urged the Covid Inquiry to focus on the substance of what the government was doing at the time. Mr Hancock said … Read more

Karnataka HC orders BBMP, govt. to clear ₹10.41 crore COVID dues to private health centres pending since 2022

Karnataka HC orders BBMP, govt. to clear ₹10.41 crore COVID dues to private health centres pending since 2022

The High Court of Karnataka has directed the State government and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to pay ₹10.41 crore to two private health establishments towards the pending dues to them for providing COVID-19 testing facilities way back during 2020-2022. Two petitions Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar issued the directions while allowing the separate petitions … Read more

Covid inquiry hears of ‘generational slaughter’ in care homes

Covid inquiry hears of ‘generational slaughter’ in care homes

Alison Holt and James Melley Getty Images Nicky Hastie, holding an image of her mother, attended the inquiry in person on Monday A civil servant’s assertion that there was a “generational slaughter within care homes” in the early days of the pandemic is a phrase that “chimes with the experience of thousands of our families”, … Read more

Covid inquiry hears of ‘generational slaughter’ in care homes

Covid inquiry hears of ‘generational slaughter’ in care homes

James Melley Social Affairs Producer Getty Images Nicky Hastie, holding an image of her mother, attended the inquiry in person on Monday A civil servant’s assertion that there was a “generational slaughter within care homes” in the early days of the pandemic is a phrase that “chimes with the experience of thousands of our families”, … Read more

Covid inquiry begins examination of impact on social care sector

Covid inquiry begins examination of impact on social care sector

James Melley Senior Social Affairs Producer BBC In the early days of the pandemic, care home staff donned full personal protective equipment The Covid inquiry will start examining the impact of the pandemic on care services for elderly and disabled people on Monday. Bereaved families say they have been waiting for this moment for years, … Read more