Ex-UK health chief defends record after COVID messages leak
1 year, 10 months ago

Ex-UK health chief defends record after COVID messages leak

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s former health minister on Wednesday denied wrongdoing after a newspaper published extracts of private messages he sent in the first weeks of the coronavirus pandemic. The Daily Telegraph said the exchanges show that then-Health Secretary Matt Hancock ignored scientific advice to test everyone entering nursing homes for COVID-19. Hancock said the WhatsApp messages had been deceptively edited, with key lines omitted to give a “distorted account.” Hancock said he had wanted to test everyone entering care homes for the coronavirus, but the U.K. lacked the capacity at the time, so priority was put on testing people being discharged from hospitals into the homes. James Bethell, who served as a junior health minister under Hancock, said “the reality was there was a very, very limited number” of coronavirus tests in the first months of the pandemic.

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History of this topic

Long Covid sufferers have ‘disability’, senior doctor tells inquiry
10 months, 1 week ago

Long Covid sufferers have ‘disability’, senior doctor tells inquiry

The Telegraph  

Long Covid sufferers should be allowed to do “what they can, when they can” at work, a senior doctor has told the Covid Inquiry. Dr Ian Frayling, a senior cancer pathologist who has suffered from Long Covid since he contracted the virus in March 2020, told the inquiry the condition is a “disability” and should be treated as such by …

The UK took action too late during COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave, its top medical officer says
1 year, 1 month ago

The UK took action too late during COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave, its top medical officer says

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s government was too late in taking action against the coronavirus during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, the U.K.'s chief medical adviser said Tuesday in testimony to the independent COVID-19 inquiry. He said he had been concerned in particular about longer-term impacts on the poorest people and those living alone, and described the difficulties in …

Watch: Chief medical officer Chris Whitty gives evidence to Britain’s Covid inquiry
1 year, 1 month ago

Watch: Chief medical officer Chris Whitty gives evidence to Britain’s Covid inquiry

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Watch as chief medical officer …

Watch: Former scientific advisor Patrick Vallance gives evidence to Covid inquiry
1 year, 1 month ago

Watch: Former scientific advisor Patrick Vallance gives evidence to Covid inquiry

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Watch as Sir Patrick Vallance gives evidence to the Covid inquiry …

Covid inquiry live: Hancock ‘wanted to decide who should live or die if NHS became overwhelmed’
1 year, 1 month ago

Covid inquiry live: Hancock ‘wanted to decide who should live or die if NHS became overwhelmed’

The Independent  

✕ Close Covid inquiry roundup: Lee Cain and Dominic Cummings provide worrying insight into No 10 Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The …

Families who lost loved ones in pandemic ‘will not be ignored’ – inquiry chair
1 year, 3 months ago

Families who lost loved ones in pandemic ‘will not be ignored’ – inquiry chair

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Families who lost loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic will …

UK was ill-prepared for pandemic because resources were diverted to Brexit, ex-health chief says
1 year, 6 months ago

UK was ill-prepared for pandemic because resources were diverted to Brexit, ex-health chief says

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy …

UK was ill-prepared for pandemic because resources were diverted to Brexit, ex-health chief says
1 year, 6 months ago

UK was ill-prepared for pandemic because resources were diverted to Brexit, ex-health chief says

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain was ill-prepared for a pandemic partly because government resources had been diverted away from pandemic planning to brace for a possibly chaotic exit from the European Union without a deal, the U.K.'s former health secretary told an inquiry Tuesday. Matt Hancock also said officials had to scramble to source protective equipment, set up mass testing and contact …

Matt Hancock arrives to give evidence to Covid-19 inquiry
1 year, 6 months ago

Matt Hancock arrives to give evidence to Covid-19 inquiry

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Former health secretary Matt Hancock has arrived to give evidence …

Ex-PM Cameron says the UK focused too much on flu rather than other potential pandemics before COVID
1 year, 6 months ago

Ex-PM Cameron says the UK focused too much on flu rather than other potential pandemics before COVID

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain made a mistake in focusing too much on preparations for a flu pandemic rather than considering other types of pandemic in the years before the COVID-19 outbreak, former Prime Minister David Cameron told a public inquiry Monday. But he added: “I think the failing was not to ask more questions about asymptomatic transmission, highly infectious … what …

COVID-19 inquiry in UK asks whether ‘terrible consequences’ could have been avoided or reduced
1 year, 6 months ago

COVID-19 inquiry in UK asks whether ‘terrible consequences’ could have been avoided or reduced

Associated Press  

LONDON — A mammoth three-year public inquiry into the U.K. government’s handling of the response to COVID-19 opened Tuesday by asking if some suffering and death could have been avoided with better planning — and whether Britain’s complex, protracted exit from the European Union distracted authorities from preparing for potential threats. Lawyer Hugo Keith, who is counsel to the inquiry, …

Covid-19 Inquiry: People encouraged to share pandemic experiences
1 year, 7 months ago

Covid-19 Inquiry: People encouraged to share pandemic experiences

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy People across the UK have been urged to share their …

UK health chief's leaked messages revive raw pandemic debate
1 year, 10 months ago

UK health chief's leaked messages revive raw pandemic debate

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Hancock shared his WhatsApp messages with …

UK health chief’s leaked messages revive raw pandemic debate
1 year, 10 months ago

UK health chief’s leaked messages revive raw pandemic debate

Associated Press  

LONDON — Coronavirus lockdowns have been lifted and face masks are few and far between in Britain these days. Hancock shared his WhatsApp messages with journalist Isabel Oakeshott as they worked on a book, “Pandemic Diaries.” Oakeshott, in turn, handed the messages to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, which has splashed them in a series of front-page stories. Steven Barnett, professor …

Sunak backs official Covid inquiry after leak of Hancock WhatsApps
1 year, 10 months ago

Sunak backs official Covid inquiry after leak of Hancock WhatsApps

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Prime Minister urged people not to focus on “piecemeal bits of information” after …

Ministers considered culling pet cats at start of pandemic, says former minister
1 year, 10 months ago

Ministers considered culling pet cats at start of pandemic, says former minister

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ministers briefly considered ordering all domestic cats in Britain to …

Matt Hancock: What are claims and counterclaims over leaked Covid messages?
1 year, 10 months ago

Matt Hancock: What are claims and counterclaims over leaked Covid messages?

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty is said to have …

Hancock claims texts showing he ignored Covid care home advice were ‘doctored’
1 year, 10 months ago

Hancock claims texts showing he ignored Covid care home advice were ‘doctored’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The messages show England’s chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris …

Ex-UK health chief defends record after COVID messages leak
1 year, 10 months ago

Ex-UK health chief defends record after COVID messages leak

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain’s former health minister on …

Jacob Rees-Mogg 'had a Covid test for one of his children couriered to his home amid a shortage'
1 year, 10 months ago

Jacob Rees-Mogg 'had a Covid test for one of his children couriered to his home amid a shortage'

Daily Mail  

Jacob Rees-Mogg had a Covid test personally delivered for one of his children during a national testing shortage, according to leaked WhatsApp messages. Then Health Secretary Matt Hancock's special adviser organised the test just two days after the director of NHS Test and Trace was forced to give 'heartfelt apologies' to anyone who could not get one due to shortages …

The Lockdown Files: Matt Hancock rejected expert advice on care home testing, WhatsApp messages reveal
1 year, 10 months ago

The Lockdown Files: Matt Hancock rejected expert advice on care home testing, WhatsApp messages reveal

The Telegraph  

In the first two years of the pandemic, there were more than 40,000 Covid deaths in care homes in England, as the most vulnerable in society bore the brunt of the fatalities. Mr Hancock himself later told MPs that transmission from the community – particularly from staff - was the “strongest route” for Covid into care homes. The messages also …

England scraps self-isolation rule for Covid positive people
2 years, 10 months ago

England scraps self-isolation rule for Covid positive people

India Today  

From February 24, the people of England are under no legal obligation to isolate if tested positive for coronavirus. Laying out his 'Living with Covid' strategy at a press conference on Tuesday, UK PM Boris Johnson said, "Today is not the day we can declare victory over Covid because this virus is not going away." Exercising restraint, England's chief medical …

UK minister apologises for continuing meeting after positive Covid test
2 years, 10 months ago

UK minister apologises for continuing meeting after positive Covid test

India Today  

British health department minister Gillian Keegan has apologised for continuing a meeting after she was informed she had tested positive for Covid-19. In a thread on Twitter published late on Tuesday, Keegan said she was informed that a precautionary lateral flow test had returned a positive result whilst speaking to a group in her role as minister for care and …

Report says UK's slow coronavirus lockdown cost thousands of lives
3 years, 2 months ago

Report says UK's slow coronavirus lockdown cost thousands of lives

India Today  

Britain's failure to impose a lockdown in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic cost thousands of unnecessary deaths and ranks among the country's worst public health blunders, lawmakers concluded Tuesday in the nation's first comprehensive report on the pandemic. "The report it's produced is laughable and more interested in political arguments about whether you can bring laptops to.meetings than …

Report says UK’s slow virus lockdown cost 1000s of lives
3 years, 2 months ago

Report says UK’s slow virus lockdown cost 1000s of lives

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s failure to impose a lockdown in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic cost thousands of unnecessary deaths and ranks among the country’s worst public health blunders, lawmakers concluded Tuesday in the nation’s first comprehensive report on the pandemic. “Decisions on lockdowns and social distancing during the early weeks of the pandemic - and the advice that …

UK health minister ’very sorry’ after kiss breaches COVID guidelines
3 years, 6 months ago

UK health minister ’very sorry’ after kiss breaches COVID guidelines

Live Mint  

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Friday he was "very sorry" for breaching social distancing guidelines, after pictures of him embracing his top aide - a friend hired last year - appeared on the front page of the Sun newspaper. "If Matt Hancock has been secretly having a relationship with an adviser in his office - who he personally …

UK's health minister denies claim he lied amid the pandemic
3 years, 6 months ago

UK's health minister denies claim he lied amid the pandemic

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy British Health Secretary Matt Hancock …

Matt Hancock urged to distance himself from report which found ‘nothing special’ about NHS response to Covid
3 years, 10 months ago

Matt Hancock urged to distance himself from report which found ‘nothing special’ about NHS response to Covid

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Labour is calling …

Newer, faster Covid strain sends London into strictest lockdown, WHO to probe variant
4 years ago

Newer, faster Covid strain sends London into strictest lockdown, WHO to probe variant

India Today  

UK, where the vaccination against Covid-19 has already begun, is set to enter into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions starting Wednesday. This new variant is responsible for "faster spread which is leading to cases doubling in some areas every seven days," Health Secretary Matt Hancock said adding that "swift and decisive action" is the need of the hour. "We …

NHS England chief warns of ‘disturbing’ coronavirus signs as hospital admissions surge
4 years, 3 months ago

NHS England chief warns of ‘disturbing’ coronavirus signs as hospital admissions surge

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The chief executive of NHS England has warned of the strain …

Coronavirus news: Latest updates as UK cases hit highest daily total
4 years, 3 months ago

Coronavirus news: Latest updates as UK cases hit highest daily total

The Independent  

✕ Close Boris Johnson warns ‘things will be tough’ as furlough scheme replaced Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our …

Coronavirus: Ministers accused of 'negligence' towards care home residents and staff
4 years, 5 months ago

Coronavirus: Ministers accused of 'negligence' towards care home residents and staff

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ministers have been accused of being “negligent” towards care home residents …

Coronavirus: Health leaders back public inquiry into handling of pandemic
4 years, 7 months ago

Coronavirus: Health leaders back public inquiry into handling of pandemic

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Senior doctors and health leaders have backed the idea of a …

May 1, 2020 coronavirus news
4 years, 8 months ago

May 1, 2020 coronavirus news

CNN  

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock Pool Matt Hancock, the UK’s Health Secretary, proudly announced on Friday that the country had hit an ambitious coronavirus testing target that it had set itself at the beginning of the month. On April 2, after weeks of criticism that the UK was lagging behind its European counterparts like Germany on testing, Hancock told the …

May 1, 2020 coronavirus news
4 years, 8 months ago

May 1, 2020 coronavirus news

CNN  

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock Pool Matt Hancock, the UK’s Health Secretary, proudly announced on Friday that the country had hit an ambitious coronavirus testing target that it had set itself at the beginning of the month. On April 2, after weeks of criticism that the UK was lagging behind its European counterparts like Germany on testing, Hancock told the …

Coronavirus: Minister admits low number of tests carried out is ‘really troubling’ and hints at mistakes
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus: Minister admits low number of tests carried out is ‘really troubling’ and hints at mistakes

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The care minister has admitted the low number of coronavirus tests …

Coronavirus: Government’s senior advisers face calls to resign over testing ‘incompetence’
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus: Government’s senior advisers face calls to resign over testing ‘incompetence’

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Asked about Germany’s superior rates of testing and lower death rates, the senior adviser said …

Coronavirus: Labour official spread conspiracy theory that Boris Johnson did not have Covid-19
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus: Labour official spread conspiracy theory that Boris Johnson did not have Covid-19

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Labour’s most senior elected official spread a conspiracy theory that Boris …

Coronavirus UK government briefings slammed by media
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus UK government briefings slammed by media

CNN  

London CNN Business — Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government can typically find a safe space in the digital and print editions of many of the most popular British newspapers. In the crosshairs: The government’s daily press conferences and the lack of a clearly articulated plan for boosting coronavirus testing capabilities. Under a banner headline “Questions without answers” atop of a …

UK coronavirus: Criticism over testing as officials release guidance on who to save first
4 years, 9 months ago

UK coronavirus: Criticism over testing as officials release guidance on who to save first

CNN  

London CNN — The UK will test 100,000 people per day for coronavirus by the end of this month, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced Thursday. Hancock set out the government’s order of priority for testing people for coronavirus: Patients first, expanding to NHS staff and their families, critical key workers third and “over time we will expand to community.” …

UK doctor issues warning on UK testing after testing positive to coronavirus COVID-19, says 'everyone needs their own thermometer'
4 years, 9 months ago

UK doctor issues warning on UK testing after testing positive to coronavirus COVID-19, says 'everyone needs their own thermometer'

ABC  

When London-based cardiologist Dr Mark Gallagher left work at a coronavirus-hit hospital just over a fortnight ago with a 37.9 degrees Celsius fever, he feared the worst. "Of course, they were fully alerted to the problem in the first week of January, so the response is extremely disappointing," Dr Gallagher told the ABC via videocall. Last week, Prime Minister Boris …

UK coronavirus outbreak shows early signs of slowing but restrictions may last six months
4 years, 9 months ago

UK coronavirus outbreak shows early signs of slowing but restrictions may last six months

CNN  

London CNN — The UK could remain under coronavirus emergency measures for as long as six months, a top health official has said, even as one expert said there were early signs that the outbreak was slowing in Britain. Curbs on normal life may need to continue through the summer and into the autumn in order to avoid progress being …

Covid-19 positive British PM had shaken hand with Coronavirus patients
4 years, 9 months ago

Covid-19 positive British PM had shaken hand with Coronavirus patients

Op India  

The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson today made a grim announcement that he has tested positive for the Wuhan Coronavirus. However, weeks after brazenly defying the instructions advised by healthcare professionals to maintain social distancing and avoid physical contact, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom was found carrying “mild symptoms” for COVID-19 that has so far affected around …

Coronavirus | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Health Secretary Matt Hancock test positive
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Health Secretary Matt Hancock test positive

The Hindu  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus and is self isolating but will still lead the government's response to the outbreak. “I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the governments response via video-conference as we fight this virus.” A Downing Street spokesman said Mr. Johnson, 55, experienced mild symptoms on Thursday — a day …

Coronavirus UK: Government slammed for testing efforts
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus UK: Government slammed for testing efforts

Daily Mail  

The government faced a mauling this afternoon after it failed to stop senior figures in the UK's fight against coronavirus from catching the deadly disease as Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock both tested positive. In another frantic day of developments in the battle against coronavirus: US President Donald Trump wished Mr Johnson a 'speedy recovery' as the two leaders spoke …

Boris Johnson: UK Prime Minister tests positive for coronavirus
4 years, 9 months ago

Boris Johnson: UK Prime Minister tests positive for coronavirus

CNN  

London CNN — The UK’s response to the coronavirus pandemic was upended on Friday when the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his top health minister tested positive for the infection, and his chief medical adviser self-isolated after displaying symptoms. Johnson announced his diagnosis in a remarkable video posted on social media, in which he said he would continue to lead …

Three MORE patients from England test positive for coronavirus in the UK
4 years, 10 months ago

Three MORE patients from England test positive for coronavirus in the UK

Daily Mail  

Three more patients from England have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of UK cases to 23 - as it's revealed more than 10,000 Britons have now been tested for the deadly virus. While there was a first suspected case of coronavirus in East Horsley, Surrey before another was believed to have been confirmed in a patient at …

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