nhs website. people were told then when they could not access the website to book a booster to turn up at walk—in centres and they were accused of five hours or more at these centres. so it seems a prime minister went on television but the health service was completely unprepared for the incredible demand today. and it seems that this 31st of december target, the premise or shows words very carefully yesterday, he said everyone will have been offered a booster by them that does not mean that all boosters will have been delivered by them. his only means that people should have been able to make a booking by then. i think that's possible the way to interpret it because of the moment the likelihood of everyone getting their third jab before the end of the year seems very unlikely. you also need to recall that a very large proportion of people are not eligible to get their third jet because it's been less than three months like one of four people are not eligible for their third jab yet. so given wh

what the nhs is shown — you that the nhs can cope? what the nhs is shown over _ you that the nhs can cope? what the nhs is shown over the _ you that the nhs can cope? what the nhs is shown over the last _ you that the nhs can cope? what the nhs is shown over the last 18 - you that the nhs can cope? what the j nhs is shown over the last 18 months is that we are remarkably resilient. we can deal with challenges that are thrown with a at really short notice and challenges that frankly have no conception of how big they are be —— they will be. 3a,000 hospitalised covid—19 patients all at once. the difference and this is a really important difference is that the rest of the nhs, non—covid—19 care is incredibly busy at the moment in a way that it wasn't last january and that last january spike a way that it wasn't last january and that lastjanuary spike came and went and it was very hard for the nhs and it came and went very quickly and now we've got months upon months of pressure and the combination of the fact that we are trying

. irate the chief scientific adviser and the nhs. ~ ., ., nhs. we will leave it there and thanks for— nhs. we will leave it there and thanks forjoining _ nhs. we will leave it there and thanks forjoining us. _ nhs. we will leave it there and thanks forjoining us. a - nhs. we will leave it there and thanks forjoining us. a couple | nhs. we will leave it there and i thanks forjoining us. a couple of statements coming into us from nicola sturgeon, first minister of scotland who says that scotland, she can confirm is carrying out urgent work to further accelerate the roll—out of the booster vaccination programme in scotland and the country already has the highest proportion of over 12 population protecting the booster or third doses of the uk nations but now urgent efforts are being made to step up the pace further with the aim of offering a boosterjab appointment to all eligible adults by the end of the year, if possible and borisjohnson in his statement to the nation a little earlier made it clear that the uk government would be offering help t

we use the nhs id code to find this site — an internal nhs platform run on ebay. we find some of these clandeboye agencies items — the boxes actually still have the contract information on the side. and we can see that they're selling fast — and to registered nhs users. but not to hospitals. these are going to less high risk environments — like care homes and rehabilitation facilities. and then, a new lead. we have been looking for this ppe for months now. ever since we have found out that there was some sort of issue with it. we have been trying to find out what may have happened to it. where it may have ended up. and we have had a bit of breakthrough. our search brings us here — to an auction house in stockport. we arrive late in the evening. the gates are locked and there's no one to speak to. we have no idea how any of the clandeboye agencies�* shipment ended up here. what we do know is that one auction goer got a real bargain. because they managed to buy a box of kit, that cost the government £1,000 for just a fiver. i mean, it's pretty sickening,

because of the pressure on the nhs _ of the pressure on the nhs? because of the pressure on the nhs and - of the pressure on the nhs? because of the pressure on the nhs and it - of the pressure on the nhs? because of the pressure on the nhs and it is l of the pressure on the nhs and it is moving so fast with this doubling every 2.5 days, it means that every week, it is getting four times worse and so you do not have a very long to decide what you are going to do. i think that is the big pressure right now, that the government will be forced to make decisions under incomplete knowledge because otherwise you are risking a really terrible situation in early january. well, you have pre—empted my next question because when would you expect to hear something? could be... i appreciate this is hypothetical and you are the scientist, not me, but could those who have to make these difficult decisions say, right, there is so much we still do not know, you have outlined so much of that, professor, that we are going to try something radicalfor two weeks, that

_ the headline, focusing in on the nhs? , , ,. ., nhs? yes, i 'ust discovered, the number of— nhs? yes, ijust discovered, the number of the _ nhs? yes, ijust discovered, the number of the issue _ nhs? yes, ijust discovered, the number of the issue has - nhs? yes, ijust discovered, the number of the issue has been, i nhs? yes, ijust discovered, the i number of the issue has been, ever since the beginning of the pandemic. what the sunday mirror is saying is there are 3000 emissions a day, ever since the pandemic started, it is not really the number of people infected on the number of deaths the government has had to worry about, it is whether or not the nhs is overwhelmed. 0bviously it is whether or not the nhs is overwhelmed. obviously the more infections we get, the more people become seriously ill, even if most people just have a mild dose like a call from 0micron. so the whole problem all the way through, but has been, how do you stop the nhs not being able to cope? if you end up with 50,000 staff because they are either isolating with 0micron, but just adds to the pressures. so

the problem that the nhs has its - problem that the nhs has its uncertainty. we have to be prepared for any eventuality, so it doesn't really matter so much what we think is going to happen. unless we can be sure of it, we still need to be prepared for a range of different eventualities which might include a big covid waif, but it might also mean that we still need to do whatever we can do to keep surgery going so that patients who need urgent cancer care, for example, are still guessing that, and that is really the challenge, it's the uncertainty. the nhs needs to be as agile and as flexible as possible and i think it has been the most agile and flexible it has been in the last two years than i can ever remember, but still the challenges come. ~ . , ., ., come. what proportion of the atients come. what proportion of the patients who _ come. what proportion of the patients who are _ come. what proportion of the patients who are in _ come. what proportion of the patients who are in icu - come. what proportion of the patients who are in icu at - come. what propo

the nhs workforce was already under— to 3900. the nhs workforce was already under pressure _ to 3900. the nhs workforce was already under pressure before i already under pressure before omicron came along, we are seeing increased pressure in many workforces at the moment, especially if someone needs to isolate if they have a positive case, but some of the recent moves we have had from 10—day to seven—day isolation, i think all of this will help. a graphic illustration of the pressure is the health service is facing from liverpool city council, filmed in the intensive care unit of the royal liverpool. it shows how every patient needing treatment is relatively young and unvaccinated. in wales too, where waiting lists for planned procedures have hit a record high, there are warnings nearly one fifth of staff could be off with covid in january. nearly one fifth of staff could be off with covid injanuary. nhs england's top doctor says the health service is now on a war footing and the best weapons in the fight against the omicron

we use the nhs id code to find this site — an internal nhs platform run on ebay. we find some of these clandeboye agencies items — the boxes actually still have the contract information on the side. and we can see that they're selling fast — and to registered nhs users. but not to hospitals. these are going to less high risk environments — like care homes and rehabilitation facilities. and then, a new lead. we have been looking for this ppe for months now. ever since we have found out that there was some sort of issue with it. we have been trying to find out what may have happened to it. where it may have ended up. and we have had a bit of breakthrough. our search brings us here — to an auction house in stockport. we arrive late in the evening. the gates are locked and there's no one to speak to. we have no idea how any of the clandeboye agencies�* shipment ended up here. what we do know is that one auction goer got a real bargain. because they managed to buy a box of kit, that cost the government £1,000 for just a fiver. i mean, it's pretty sickening,

in the nhs are already suffering _ impact, torcuil. in the nhs are already suffering from - impact, torcuil. in the nhs are | already suffering from absences impact, torcuil. in the nhs are - already suffering from absences and from lack of resources. and health workers screaming for priority to be given to them for lateral flow tests, laboursaying given to them for lateral flow tests, labour saying the same thing. and in a letter to mps virtually admitting that they will have to make a priority over the next month. now a health crisis but also a deep political slant to this as well with the welsh first minister being able to offer 4 million lateral flow tests to a tory nhs health minister, a labour welsh first minister, a gesture of generosity there across the border and across the political aisle. is he to be a particularly english problem because in england, there are seven date releases from isolation if you take the appropriate lateral flow tests on date two and a six and then now in scotland of course you have to isolate steel fo

what the nhs is ro osin: end of the year? what the nhs is proposing to _ end of the year? what the nhs is proposing to do _ end of the year? what the nhs is proposing to do is _ end of the year? what the nhs is proposing to do is unprecedented end of the year? what the nhs is - proposing to do is unprecedented and we've never had 1,000,000 jabs per day in this country and that's the kind of ambition being set out, but i wouldn't bet against the nhs. they are remarkable and should people who work for the nhs and there will be a remarkable effort to get this done and it will be a huge effort, no doubt about it, but we can all play our part by getting behind the effort by taking up the availability of the booster and to support the nhs in the coming weeks. because as well as safeguarding ourselves on the people around us and the people we care about, this is also crucial to protect the nhs. borisjohnson warns the uk is facing an emergency in the battle with the new omicron variant. he's calling for a massive increase in boosterjabs, more than a million a day in england, by th

they were keen for some time on the idea of nhs staff having to get i the idea of nhs staff having to get a vaccine, plenty in government and beyond .2 presidents, there are otherjabs and vaccinations that are mandatory for front line nhs staff, so in that sense they can point to that precedent. they have already done it as far as care homes are concerned. the next step is to nhs staff stop it looks as though those votes will come on tuesday before parliament is packing up for christmas on thursday. m50 parliament is packing up for christmas on thursday. also the day ofthe christmas on thursday. also the day of the north — christmas on thursday. also the day of the north shropshire _ christmas on thursday. also the dayj of the north shropshire by-election, of the north shropshire by—election, so who knows what that might bring? i would like your thoughts on where the government finds itself, the pause in hostilities whilst various reports and investigations go on but it does not mean that the stories have stopped all the speculation. i was talking to someone in government who has

ten could lead to a big impact on the nhs after christmas.— nhs after christmas. ten days until christmas, what _ nhs after christmas. ten days until christmas, what is _ nhs after christmas. ten days until christmas, what is the _ nhs after christmas. ten days until christmas, what is the advice - nhs after christmas. ten days until christmas, what is the advice for i christmas, what is the advice for people running up to it? ichris people running up to it? chris whitty said — people running up to it? chris whitty said that _ people running up to it? chris whitty said that people - people running up to it? (ct 3 whitty said that people should prioritise what matters to them. do not mix with people you don't have to it was his clear message. the prime minister said repeatedly he is not closing hospitality, not cancelling events, but think carefully, he said, do lateralflow tests, wash your hands, open windows, he said his plans over christmas were pretty modest. yesterday of course, nicola sturgeon asked people in scotland to limit socialising to just three hous

it is always the case that the nhs. it is always the case that the nhs. it is always the case that the nhs is under pressure in winter, but we have never seen the level of pressure on all parts of the health service, so we really must, as a nation, do everything we can to try to avoid getting to a position, which we could face injanuary, which we could face injanuary, which is the nhs under unprecedented strain and fast rising numbers of people needing care in hospital. 50 people needing care in hospital. so what is your message to those mps who are thinking of voting against these measures? i who are thinking of voting against these measures?— who are thinking of voting against these measures? i would ask them to think about the _ these measures? i would ask them to think about the health _ these measures? i would ask them to think about the health service. - these measures? i would ask them to think about the health service. we - think about the health service. we hear every day people complementing the health service, and the workers in the health se

. register people so it goes on to our nhs record. ~' , , , q your nhs record. the key, been busy? yes, we your nhs record. the key, been busy? yes. we are — your nhs record. the key, been busy? yes. we are doing _ your nhs record. the key, been busy? yes, we are doing up _ your nhs record. the key, been busy? yes, we are doing up to _ your nhs record. the key, been busy? yes, we are doing up to 280 _ your nhs record. the key, been busy? yes, we are doing up to 280 people i your nhs record. the key, been busy? yes, we are doing up to 280 people a | yes, we are doing up to 280 people a day. yes, we are doing up to 280 people a day when— yes, we are doing up to 280 people a day. when we were at the main vaccine — day. when we were at the main vaccine centre, we did up to 1000, so we _ vaccine centre, we did up to 1000, so we are — vaccine centre, we did up to 1000, so we are still offering that service _ so we are still offering that service to the community. we have been here all— service to the community. we have been here all morning _ service to the

the target _ to us and to protect our nhs. the target of— to us and to protect our nhs. the target of getting 1 million people per day— target of getting 1 million people per day their booster vaccine is unprecedented and it may even prove impossible, _ unprecedented and it may even prove impossible, but we applaud the ambition — impossible, but we applaud the ambition. if anyone can do it, the nhs can, — ambition. if anyone can do it, the nhs can, at— ambition. if anyone can do it, the nhs can, at the whole country will be willing — nhs can, at the whole country will be willing them on and we won't knock— be willing them on and we won't knock them for trying. what people will not _ knock them for trying. what people will not accept is the government moving _ will not accept is the government moving the goalposts, the prime minister— moving the goalposts, the prime minister is now famous for overpromising and under delivering. in overpromising and under delivering. in his _ overpromising and under delivering. in his televised address last night he said _ in

the nhs was now on a war footing. all this comes at a time when nhs trusts are under pressure because of sickness absence. some staff said they can't get pcr or lateral flow tests to get back to work and others have also reported shortages of testing capacity. health chiefs admit it's a problem but say they are addressing it. we do recognise there are some difficulties across the country, both in pharmacies and with home testing requests. we do release and are continuing to release test slots for individuals and so they should just keep trying through the day. obviously, as the christmas period subsides, then the testing capacity should be more available to them. we do have good supplies and we will be endeavouring to get those to the right places. the uk health security agency said almost 8 million lateral flow test kits would be supplied to pharmacies by new year's eve. people wanting pcr tests should keep checking the official website as more slots were being made available each day. hugh pym, bbc news. the immunol

and _ the peak of winter pressures on the nhs and nhs staff and managers will do what _ nhs and nhs staff and managers will do what they always do and pull out the stops to try to keep the service going _ the stops to try to keep the service going but— the stops to try to keep the service going but it is as you implied the to mean that some other priorities, for example — to mean that some other priorities, for example that record waiting list of people on the back burner for a while _ of people on the back burner for a while. ., ~' ,, of people on the back burner for a while. . ,, i. ., ., ., _, while. thank you for an outcome ahead of the _ while. thank you for an outcome ahead of the nhs _ while. thank you for an outcome | ahead of the nhs confederation, thank you. just when i spoke to matthew taylor, we had a few more figures through from france and in fact we are hearing france has reported a new high of confirmed coronavirus cases. very nearly 180,000 is the figure, the daily figure there in france and latest 24 hour period and by far the highest number since the start of

underneath this is a lot of pressure on the nhs to actually deliver— pressure on the nhs to actually deliver this. there's a drive to try and recruit— deliver this. there's a drive to try and recruit both paid staff as well as volunteers in order to get the 'ob as volunteers in order to get the job into — as volunteers in order to get the job into peoples arms. this comes against _ job into peoples arms. this comes against the — job into peoples arms. this comes against the backdrop of nhs that is in crisis _ against the backdrop of nhs that is in crisis dealing with huge backlogs of patient _ in crisis dealing with huge backlogs of patient care that's come off the back of— of patient care that's come off the back of the pandemic. and gp practices _ back of the pandemic. and gp practices are on their knees. this is a really. — practices are on their knees. this is a really, really tough to ask for the nhs — is a really, really tough to ask for the nhs when they are facing a huge amount— the nhs when they are facing a huge amount of— the nhs when they are facing a huge

the nhs was _ because wards are understaffed. the nhs was stretch pre—pandemic. they've — nhs was stretch pre—pandemic. they've had a really ridiculously difficult — they've had a really ridiculously difficult two years. and now they are having — difficult two years. and now they are having very high rates of illness— are having very high rates of illness and self isolation. and it still creating massive problems. yes, _ still creating massive problems. yes. there — still creating massive problems. yes, there is a bit of a note of optimism _ yes, there is a bit of a note of optimism here.— yes, there is a bit of a note of otimism here. ., , ., ., ., ., optimism here. rosamound, i want to add a dose of — optimism here. rosamound, i want to add a dose of reality _ optimism here. rosamound, i want to add a dose of reality to _ optimism here. rosamound, i want to add a dose of reality to this. - optimism here. rosamound, i want to add a dose of reality to this. there - add a dose of reality to this. there is a sentence on this front page that says but

we nhs is potentially being overwhelmed.— nhs is potentially being overwhelmed. ~ . ., ., nhs is potentially being overwhelmed. . ., ., . overwhelmed. we are going to hear from the prime _ overwhelmed. we are going to hear from the prime minister _ overwhelmed. we are going to hear from the prime minister any - overwhelmed. we are going to hear from the prime minister any secondl from the prime minister any second now. i may have to rudely interrupt you but i'm going to ask you another question, which is, you alluded to that revolt in the commons by tory backbenchers. do you think that will deter borisjohnson backbenchers. do you think that will deter boris johnson from backbenchers. do you think that will deter borisjohnson from more legal restrictions? because in the end he will get them through, probably, isn't he, with labour party support, but it doesn't look good? it doesn't look good and the mood on the conservative benches is volatile _ the conservative benches is volatile. you may see some of the rest of— volatile. you may see some of the rest of the — volatile. you may see some

i whole of the nhs waterfront at the moment. ., ., ., ,~' whole of the nhs waterfront at the moment. ., ., ., i. ., moment. i want to ask you about this, what _ moment. i want to ask you about this, what will— moment. i want to ask you about this, what will this _ moment. i want to ask you about this, what will this mean? - moment. i want to ask you about this, what will this mean? tell. moment. i want to ask you aboutj this, what will this mean? tell us in more detail, what will this for the nhs when it comes to the services? ~ ~ ., , , services? well, i think that this is the inch services? well, i think that this is the pinch point. _ services? well, i think that this is the pinch point, really. _ services? well, i think that this is the pinch point, really. what- services? well, i think that this is the pinch point, really. what we | services? well, i think that this is i the pinch point, really. what we are likely to see is delays and cancellations across other bits of the nhs, and people waiting longer for the treatment and services that they need over this period, as the boo

the head of nhs encland, set on one side. the head of nhs england. with _ set on one side. the head of nhs england, with the _ set on one side. the head of nhs england, with the prime - set on one side. the head of nhs england, with the prime minister| england, with the prime minister today, now has to oversee a major acceleration of the programme. this is a hue acceleration of the programme. this is a huge challenge for the nhs and for the _ is a huge challenge for the nhs and for the country. the prime minister has told _ for the country. the prime minister has told us — for the country. the prime minister has told us and public health experts _ has told us and public health experts have told us that the rate at which — experts have told us that the rate at which the omicron variant is spreading _ at which the omicron variant is spreading presents a serious threat and i_ spreading presents a serious threat and i have — spreading presents a serious threat and i have no doubt that the nhs and their amazing staff will step up. with more than 100,000 people booking over

my booster, and i think, the nhs is _ here to get my booster, and i think, the nhs is playing _ here to get my booster, and i think, the nhs is playing a _ here to get my booster, and i think, the nhs is playing a really— here to get my booster, and i think, the nhs is playing a really good - the nhs is playing a really good part _ the nhs is playing a really good part it — the nhs is playing a really good part it is — the nhs is playing a really good part. it is now— the nhs is playing a really good part. it is now the _ the nhs is playing a really goodj part. it is now the responsibility of all— part. it is now the responsibility of all of— part. it is now the responsibility of all of us _ part. it is now the responsibility of all of us to _ part. it is now the responsibility of all of us to play— part. it is now the responsibility of all of us to play our— part. it is now the responsibility of all of us to play our part - part. it is now the responsibility of all of us to play our part and i part. it is now the responsibility. of all of us to play our part and to '

we are told by experts at the nhs is already under. experts at the nhs is already under pressure but under pressure for a non—covert reasons as as for covid at the moment. it is the point about whether omicron becomes a threat to the health system because the level of infections is mad but more importantly because it causes more people to end up in hospital with serious illness. and that presumably is, the moment,. that serious illness. and that presumably is, the moment,.— is, the moment,. that is the key metric the _ is, the moment,. that is the key metric the government - is, the moment,. that is the key metric the government will - is, the moment,. that is the key metric the government will look| is, the moment,. that is the key i metric the government will look at. ministers were fairly comfortable, i would say about the certain level of delta infection because it was not showing that impact on hospitalisations. i was in newcastle for two days and they were saying the booster rollout was having a huge impact on the number of people coming through. a month before they had, ju

this of absence in the nhs. what impact will that be having?— will that be having? this is the thin that will that be having? this is the thing that help _ will that be having? this is the thing that help buses - will that be having? this is the thing that help buses are - will that be having? this is the - thing that help buses are concerned about. they say it's a bigger concern for them. the number of people coming into hospital with covid—19 because of the disruption it can cause, so to go through the statistics again, every day, on average, in england, in the week before christmas, 25,000, just over 25,000 staff were absent. this is in acute hospital trusts because of covid—19. that is about one third of all absences now in those trusts that are down. it could be people self—isolating because they themselves have been infected, they could have to do seven days because i had a household contact in the same way. a combination of both things. if you look at the hospital, this is when it becomes clearer. if you look at the worst hit, you mentioned london so gr

it comes as health leaders warn that nhs staff are currently working at full stretch. here's our health correspondentjim reed. in southampton this morning, plenty of people were out queueing for covid vaccine number three. ministers and scientists say these boosterjabs are the most important defence against the 0micron variant of this winter. i think it's important just to make sure that you are protected as best as you can. my wife is having her one today as well, so just make sure that we are as best protected as we can. from monday, people in their 30s in england will be able to book their booster appointments, three months after that second dose, as the roll—out continues down the age groups with the other nations of the uk likely to follow soon. it's really important given what we know now about the 0micron variant and how effective the vaccine is, particularly after the booster dose, so it's a really important measure for protecting themselves, their families and the public at large. government scientists say it's now inevitable. we will see a large wave of inf

the second thing is the number from an nhs perspective of staff who _ number from an nhs perspective of staff who are off because of covid, either _ staff who are off because of covid, either because they have it themselves or they are self—isolating because they have tested _ self—isolating because they have tested positive. so two factors coming — tested positive. so two factors coming together there. we know it is notjust— coming together there. we know it is notjust affecting coming together there. we know it is not just affecting hospital staff. and billing services, fire services, police, _ and billing services, fire services, police, eto — and billing services, fire services, police, etc. as we heard from a previous — police, etc. as we heard from a previous piece, retail too. police, etc. as we heard from a previous piece, retailtoo. so police, etc. as we heard from a previous piece, retail too. so we have _ previous piece, retail too. so we have a _ previous piece, retail too. so we have a whole swathe of public services — have a whole swathe of public services

plow more important indicator of how much pressure the nhs is under.— pressure the nhs is under. now in encland at pressure the nhs is under. now in england at least, _ pressure the nhs is under. now in england at least, the _ pressure the nhs is under. now in england at least, the rules - pressure the nhs is under. now in england at least, the rules are - england at least, the rules are changing, with the time spent in isolation cut from ten days to seven. but to do that, you must record two consecutive negative lateral flow tests from day six onwards and those tests must be taking —— might take on a minimum of 24 taking —— might take on a minimum of 2a hours apart. taking -- might take on a minimum of 24 hours apart-— 24 hours apart. what has changed is the availability _ 24 hours apart. what has changed is the availability of _ 24 hours apart. what has changed is the availability of tests, _ 24 hours apart. what has changed is the availability of tests, the - 24 hours apart. what has changed is the availability of tests, the fact - the availability of tests, the fact

and not just the nhs, society is kind of closing down. nhs, society is kind of closing down anyway. over half the premiership games close to down over the weekend because of omicron. we have seen schools beginning to close because teachers are off. we have seen edinburgh castle and the natural history museum are closed down. the problem we are having at the moment is the amount of infection and the spread of infection is closing things down so we need to do things to limit the spread of infection. that seems to me to be the primary thing we've got to do, and i think individuals can do it by limiting the numbers of contacts that they have and i think that is really important. the best way of saving christmas is not getting infected in the first place. the best way of not getting infected is to think about whether certain contacts with people are essential. if you do consider them to be essential, to be very careful, to take a lateral flow test before hand, if possible to meet outside, ventilate spaces as well and so forth. all things people can do but they do need the clarity of info

do through the winter and that pressure on the nhs eases.— on the nhs eases. do you want to ick u- on the nhs eases. do you want to pick up on — on the nhs eases. do you want to pick up on that — on the nhs eases. do you want to pick up on that thought about - on the nhs eases. do you want to pick up on that thought about the | pick up on that thought about the options and clearly a debate in cabinet about vaccine passwords but we move towards a least worst option, anything that doesn't stop people being able to spray delete celebrate christmas with their families. i celebrate christmas with their families. ~ ., celebrate christmas with their families. ~' ., , , families. i think getting to grips with the spread _ families. i think getting to grips with the spread of— families. i think getting to grips with the spread of the - families. i think getting to grips with the spread of the virus - families. i think getting to grips with the spread of the virus is i with the spread of the virus is going to be top of the list for the government. i think there sh

. , , ., , ., the nhs. this is appalled at the guardian has _ the nhs. this is appalled at the guardian has done, and - the nhs. this is appalled at the guardian has done, and it's - the nhs. this is appalled at the | guardian has done, and it's quite alarming actually, because says that one in for fear they would not get adequate care going to the nhs. now, this is not in any way... none of this is not in any way... none of this is not in any way... none of this is about the quality of the staff, the people who are working in the nhs. it's based on either anecdotal or real evidence that people have experienced since covid. and we know that prior to co—bed, there were staff shortages within there were staff shortages within the nhs and social care, obviously that's been exacerbated over the last two years. so, many people will have had operations delayed, they will have had difficulty seeing their gpa or their primary care providers, so, you know, it doesn't really take us anywhere other than the fact tha

and so you have covid—19 hitting key workers, nhs workers, train drivers, fairy staff— nhs workers, train drivers, fairy staff across the uk and it's going to hit— staff across the uk and it's going to hit the — staff across the uk and it's going to hit the economy as well as the health— to hit the economy as well as the health services and the health secretary and has admitted there will have — secretary and has admitted there will have to be of prioritisation over— will have to be of prioritisation over the — will have to be of prioritisation over the next few weeks of test kits, _ over the next few weeks of test kits, lateral flow kits and situation will be sorted by the end of the _ situation will be sorted by the end of the month and the end ofjanuary by which _ of the month and the end ofjanuary by which time the paint presumably will be _ by which time the paint presumably will be over hopefully. but until then, _ will be over hopefully. but until then, things are going to be tight in england in particular and of course — in england in particular and of course the lab

proof can be in the form of an nhs covid pass, or a text or emailfrom nhs test and trace. entry to indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people, outdoor unseated venues with more than 4,000 people, or any venue with more than 10,000 people will also require proof of vaccination or a negative test. with more on this, here's andrew plant in bristol. proof of vaccinations or negative tests now needed all across england today. football fans at the emirates tonight some of the first to be affected. got my covid pass, i've got the lateral flow negative test. we had an e—mail from the venue to say get here early, about half six, but we just thought, actually, it could take a long time to check everyone. i'm quite old and i want to know that i'm safe in there, _ so i've got my covid passport here, all ready to show. _ so you just click on that, click "domestic." preparing their covid passes over a pint this evening... and all you do, it'sjust two clicks on the app. easy. easy as. ..these friends getting ready to head to a nightclub later. i think it is a good idea. i mean, i

the nhs is braced for a wave of hospital cases in the weeks ahead. but they don't know how big that will be. what they do know is that covid is already taking its toll in the shape of higher staff absences. the nhs employers group told me that staff sickness is a particular problem in london. members have reported to us a really dramatic increase in levels of absence over this last ten days. three orfour times more people off sick now compared to ten days ago. the fear is that we see the same pattern of absence replicated across the country. even if omicron generates a surge in mainly mild infections, that will have an impact on the public sector and the wider economy, with some employees needing to isolate. that's another reason why ministers and health officials are pushing the message about boosterjabs, including front—page newspaper ads today. the uk has moved relatively quickly with the booster roll—out. israel is ahead, but they started sooner. the uk, though, has moved more rapidly than some other leading economies. within great britain, w

let's start with the daily telegraph with the nhs overwhelmed as millions answered for jazz. the nhs overwhelmed as millions answered forjazz. there is a very polite photo of people carefully socially distancing, not reading novels but looking very patient as they wait to get to the front of the line there. that's in sheffield. let's go to the story. he line there. that's in sheffield. let's go to the story. no novels this time- _ let's go to the story. no novels this time. very _ let's go to the story. no novels this time. very polite _ let's go to the story. no novels this time. very polite looking . this time. very polite looking queue. as the telegraph puts it, scrambling to deliver is quite a polite way of putting it. the booster vaccination drive that was outlined by borisjohnson yesterday, aiming to have everyone over the age of 18 vaccinated with a third jab or a boosterjabbed for people who are immunosuppressed by the end of the year. it's an interesting use of language and jenny touched on it in the first round. borisjohnson said that he wanted everyone over 18 to have the

that might have for the nhs. implications that might have for the nhs~ 0ver— implications that might have for the nhs. 0verthe implications that might have for the nhs. over the course of this pandemic, protecting and shielding the nhs _ pandemic, protecting and shielding the nhs has become this really important and powerful slogan and i'm important and powerful slogan and i'm eager— important and powerful slogan and i'm eager for important and powerful slogan and i'm eagerfor us to important and powerful slogan and i'm eager for us to get back to a situation — i'm eager for us to get back to a situation which the nhs has actually learned _ situation which the nhs has actually learned to— situation which the nhs has actually learned to look after us. we don't treat— learned to look after us. we don't treat people —— we don't not treat people _ treat people —— we don't not treat people who — treat people —— we don't not treat people who are overweight or addicted _ people who are overweight

chris hopson from nhs providers. _ occur. chris hopson from nhs providers, thank _ occur. chris hopson from nhs providers, thank you - occur. chris hopson from nhs providers, thank you very - occur. chris hopson from nhs i providers, thank you very much occur. chris hopson from nhs - providers, thank you very much for talking to us. providers, thank you very much for talking to us— northern ireland's devolved government has decided to reduce the self—isolation period for people with the coronavirus from ten days to seven — provided they have negative lateral flow tests on the sixth and seventh days. the change will take effect tomorrow. let's speak now to our ireland correspondent, chris page. what has brought this about, chris? well, ministers in the devolved government here at stormont have had a virtual meeting today where they have received the latest briefing from their scientific advisers about the covid situation in this part of the covid situation in this part of the uk, and until very recently, it had been the case that omicron wasn't spreading here quite as

food for nhs workers.— has started a campaign for better food for nhs workers. mental health issues have gone _ food for nhs workers. mental health issues have gone up _ food for nhs workers. mental health issues have gone up as _ food for nhs workers. mental health issues have gone up as a _ food for nhs workers. mental health issues have gone up as a result. - food for nhs workers. mental health issues have gone up as a result. we | issues have gone up as a result. we are all very stressed. they are going through so much and they are sacrificing so much and that shouldn't be the case and this is why i am doing this, because i care so much about them. in why i am doing this, because i care so much about them.— why i am doing this, because i care so much about them. in october last ear, so much about them. in october last year. celebrity _ so much about them. in october last year, celebrity chef _ so much about them. in october last year, celebrity chef prue _ so much about them. in october last year,

—— workers that they need to be jabbed him nhs -- nhs workers that they need to be jabbed him nhs —— nhs staff need to be chapels of that line is also being pursued here but i think one of the big gaps in our vaccination programme is that children are not being vaccinated at the moment and i think that is something that will need to be addressed. that question of five and i2 need to be addressed. that question of five and 12 euros, with and we vaccinated and it's hard to imagine that you would have compulsory vaccinations for children. but nevertheless just giving the go ahead and given the green light for sugar to be vaccinated... thea;r ahead and given the green light for sugar to be vaccinated. . ._ sugar to be vaccinated... they do have compulsory vaccinations, i sugar to be vaccinated... they do i have compulsory vaccinations, don't we? . have compulsory vaccinations, don't we? , , ., ., ., we? , yes, we do have other compulsory _ we? , yes, we do have other compulsory vaccinations - we? , yes, we do have other compulsory vaccinations and | compulsory vaccinations and certainly

but from the top of the nhs in england, more caution. my advice would be if you are going to go to a stadium at the weekend, make it one where you can get your vaccine, or help out to give a vaccine, rather than going to watch a match. to that point, if you are a role model in society, please get your vaccine, because it is dependent on all of us to show the way right now, and to make decisions that help to protect society. the reason for the caution, no one knows yet how the surge will impact the nhs. but the worst case scenario is of even more pressure than it saw last winter. damian grammaticas, bbc news. let's go straight to westminster where we can speak to our chief political correspondent adam fleming. adam, there were subtly different messages on how we should behave over the christmas period from the prime minister and the chief medical officer of england. yes. prime minister and the chief medical officer of england.— officer of england. yes, the overall messa . e officer of england. yes, the overall message is — officer of

things like facemasks and compulsory covid—19 jabs for nhs workers they did not— covid—19 jabs for nhs workers they did not agree with covid passports and i_ did not agree with covid passports and i made it very clear. and did not agree with covid passports and i made it very clear.— and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit _ and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit light _ and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit light with _ and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit light with a - and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit light with a story - and i made it very clear. and it | feels a bit light with a story that this is now the line in the sand and if he dares to cross it, he is very lucky to face the full wrath of his party. lucky to face the full wrath of his .a . ,, ., , lucky to face the full wrath of his party-- john- _ lucky to face the full wrath of his party--john- was- lucky to face the full wrath of his party.- john. was not - lucky to face the full wrath of his j party.- john. was not quite party. sorry. john. was not quite clear what _ party. sorry. jo

speaker, and i thank the nhs, the gps. [inaudible conversations] therethey wouldn't go for it, mechanic. they wouldn't do it. i thank them for what they do. we're now speeding things up by allowing people to avoid the 15-minute delay after they've been with vaccinated which i hope listen encourage even more people -- i hope will encourage even more people. >> keir starmer. >> mr. speaker, lives are at risk. the british public are looking for a prime minister with the trust and the authority to lead britain -- [inaudible] instead they're burdened with the worst possible prime minister at the worst possible time. they're shouting now, where were they last night? [laughter] his own mps have had enough. they won't defend him. they won't turn up to support him. and if he proposes them, they won't vote for basic public health measures. so at this time of national effort, the labour party has stood up, shown the leadership -- [inaudible] put the people first. >> order, order. i can't hear the question. i won't -- [inaudible] i do

— nhs in the coming weeks. when are we likely to know? data _ nhs in the coming weeks. when are we likely to know? data is _ nhs in the coming weeks. when are we likely to know? data is coming - nhs in the coming weeks. when are we likely to know? data is coming in - likely to know? data is coming in all the time _ likely to know? data is coming in all the time was _ likely to know? data is coming in all the time was some _ likely to know? data is coming in all the time was some data - likely to know? data is coming in all the time was some data from | all the time was some data from scotland looking at severity and research from their is expected as well, it's literally in the next day or two, there will be more information about severity of omicron and how will vaccines protect against severe disease, and put into place to help scientists and understand the characteristics of the omicron variant and that will then feed into the decisions that ministers need to take as to what, if any measures, additional measures need to be put in place to try to of the virus. . ., ~'

it goes on to your nhs record. _ people. it goes on to your nhs record. you have been busy, haven't you? _ record. you have been busy, haven't ou? ~ . , record. you have been busy, haven't ou? . ., , ., , ., fa“, you? we have been doing up to 280 --eole er you? we have been doing up to 280 people per day- _ you? we have been doing up to 280 people per day- at _ you? we have been doing up to 280 people per day. at the _ you? we have been doing up to 280 people per day. at the main - you? we have been doing up to 280 people per day. at the main vaccine | people per day. at the main vaccine centre _ people per day. at the main vaccine centre we _ people per day. at the main vaccine centre we did — people per day. at the main vaccine centre we did up— people per day. at the main vaccine centre we did up to— people per day. at the main vaccine centre we did up to 1000. _ people per day. at the main vaccine centre we did up to 1000. we - people per day. at the main vaccine centre we did up to 1000. we are i centre we did up to 1000. we are still offerin

my advice nhs in england more caution. ii advice would nhs in england more caution. m1 advice would be nhs in england more caution. ij'i1 advice would be if nhs in england more caution. ii1 advice would be if you're going to go to a stadium at the we can make it one where you can get your vaccine or help out to give a vaccine, rather than, you know, going to watch a match, and to that point, if you are a role model in society, these get your vaccine, because actually it is dependent on all of us to show the way right now and to make decisions that help to protect society. decisions that help to protect socie . ., ,., decisions that help to protect socie . ., ., society. the reason for the caution. — society. the reason for the caution, no-one _ society. the reason for the caution, no-one knows - society. the reason for the caution, no-one knows yet society. the reason for the - caution, no-one knows yet how caution, no—one knows yet how the surge will impact the nhs. but the worst case scenario is of even more pressure than it's all last winter. —— saw last w