Health

Dame Sally Davies apologises to bereaved families and says the UK was poorly prepared for the pandemic.

The UK should have prepared to test and isolate more, the ex-health secretary tells the Covid inquiry.

Sir Chris laments treatment as he gives evidence to Covid Inquiry on pandemic preparedness.

Planning focused more on burying the dead than averting disaster, ex-health secretary says.

The first phase of the Covid Inquiry has come to an end. What have we learnt over the past six weeks?

The World Health Organisation declared the variant of interest, with cases reported in 51 countries.

Experts are not too concerned about a new variant of Covid but say monitoring should continue.

As in previous years, the NHS will let people know when bookings open. Adult flu and COVID-19 appointments will be available through the NHS App and website, or by calling 119 for those who can’t get online. Flu vaccines will also be available through local GP practices and pharmacies. Flu vaccinations for children which will…

Hospital admissions have risen since the summer and a new variant is spreading. Should we be concerned?

The inquiry heard that in some countries, children were at the forefront of national concerns. The prime ministers in Norway and New Zealand held TV briefings for children at the start of the pandemic to reassure them and to thank them for all they were doing. “We didn’t have such an event in the UK,…