da s? �* , be safe in hospital on the strike da 5? �* , be safe in hospital on the strike da s? �* , ., be safe in hospital on the strike da s7�*, . .,“ be safe in hospital on the strike da s? a ., ., ~ ., days? as i say, we are working hard to ensure that _ days? as i say, we are working hard to ensure that patients _ days? as i say, we are working hard to ensure that patients are - days? as i say, we are working hard to ensure that patients are safe, i to ensure that patients are safe, everybody in the nhs wants patients to be safe. emergency services will be maintained. so if you have a life—threatening condition, please do continue to call 999. for non—life—threatening conditions, 111, online should be your first port of call. the majority of hospitals in england are not affected by strike action this thursday. in primary care that is general practice, dentistry, pharmacy, they are unaffected. let me be clear, our services will be disrupted on thursday.— me be clear, our services will be disrupted on thursday. what that means, disrupted on thursday. what that means. when _ disrupted on thursday. what that means, when you _ disrupted on thursday. what that means, when you talk _ disrupted on thursday. what that means, when you talk about i disrupted on thursday. what that means, when you talk about the l means, when you talk about the health service, disruption means patients suffering. and it might mean people suffering quite badly, unnecessarily. is it the case that people might lose their lives as a result of the strikes?— people might lose their lives as a result of the strikes? nobody at the nhs wants that. _ result of the strikes? nobody at the nhs wants that. nobody _ result of the strikes? nobody at the nhs wants that. nobody wants i result of the strikes? nobody at the | nhs wants that. nobody wants that, but let's be clear. _ nhs wants that. nobody wants that, but let's be clear. you _ nhs wants that. nobody wants that, but let's be clear. you are _ nhs wants that. nobody wants that, but let's be clear. you are saying i but let's be clear. you are saying services will be disrupted, if the health services disrupted, that could jeopardise lives. we health services disrupted, that could jeopardise lives. we have been workinu could jeopardise lives. we have been working hard. _ could jeopardise lives. we have been working hard, talking _ could jeopardise lives. we have been working hard, talking with _ could jeopardise lives. we have been working hard, talking with union i working hard, talking with union representatives at national level and local level to ensure there emergency services remain open. also, other key services. for instance, kidney dialysis and chemotherapy. i am confident all staff in the nhs care deeply about patience and will want to keep them safe and protected. [30 patience and will want to keep them safe and protected.— safe and protected. do you have an idea of how — safe and protected. do you have an idea of how many _ safe and protected. do you have an idea of how many procedures i safe and protected. do you have an | idea of how many procedures might safe and protected. do you have an i idea of how many procedures might be cancelled? there are all sorts of numbers out there, a suggestion there might be 15,000 procedures that don't go ahead. is there a number you can share with people? i don't think it is possible to put a number on it. we need to wait until the action occurs on thursday as he what disruption occurs. as i said, the majority of hospitals in england are not being affected. in the majority of hospitals in england are not being affected.— are not being affected. in terms of the potential— are not being affected. in terms of the potential in _ are not being affected. in terms of the potential in the _ are not being affected. in terms of the potential in the next _ are not being affected. in terms of the potential in the next few i the potential in the next few months, it is possible that the strikes will go on for many months. we know already that waiting list backlogs and ambulance waiting times are already at record levels in many cases. are you worried about the potential impact of this beyond this week? we potential impact of this beyond this week? ~ ., , ., ., potential impact of this beyond this week? . , , ., ,, week? we have been making progress in the backlog — week? we have been making progress in the backlog caused _ week? we have been making progress in the backlog caused by _ week? we have been making progress in the backlog caused by the _ in the backlog caused by the pandemic. we had ourfirst milestone of reducing rates below two years in the summer of this year. our ambition is to reduce waiting times below 18 months for the spring. that could be knocked off course, and industrial action is one thing, that could knock it off course. but it could knock it off course. but it could be a significant wave of covid, a new variant, and we could see a high peak of flu. there is trouble brewing and we have to see how we get on. if trouble brewing and we have to see how we get on-_ trouble brewing and we have to see how we get on. if you are being open with us, the — how we get on. if you are being open with us, the nhs— how we get on. if you are being open with us, the nhs is— how we get on. if you are being open with us, the nhs is getting _ how we get on. if you are being open with us, the nhs is getting back- how we get on. if you are being open with us, the nhs is getting back to i with us, the nhs is getting back to normal, recovering from covid, but it could be knocked off by industrial action? the it could be knocked off by industrial action? ,, , industrial action? the nhs is under hue industrial action? the nhs is under huge pressure. _ industrial action? the nhs is under huge pressure, like _ industrial action? the nhs is under huge pressure, like many - industrial action? the nhs is under huge pressure, like many health i huge pressure, like many health services around the world. why? we are seeing record demand. in november, we saw more attendances at a&e that we have ever seen in that months. we are still dealing with covid. we have 6000 patients in hospital in england with covid, and we are entering our fifth wave of the year. at times, we had up to 15,000 patients with 19. flu has come early, last week we have seen a 1500% increase in those in hospital with that. and we had an increase in things like group a strep you with that. and we had an increase in things like group a strep— things like group a strep you are still on alert _ things like group a strep you are still on alert for _ things like group a strep you are still on alert for a _ things like group a strep you are still on alert for a new _ things like group a strep you are still on alert for a new variant i things like group a strep you are still on alert for a new variant of| still on alert for a new variant of covid, many people will remember you at the briefings, fielding questions from the public and journalists. are you worried about another wave? in the pandemic 5tarted, you worried about another wave? in the pandemic started, i remember saying to a colleague that this will be five years getting to the effects of covid. clearly, we had those first few waves and then great scientific advances, the vaccines and therapeutics, it has meant it is and therapeutics, it has meant it is a less severe disease. but it can still affect people seriously. as the new virus adapts to new human hosts, you get waves of infection. we are entering the fifth wave of this year. eventually, we think it will become a seasonal infection, likely in the winter. but that hasn't happened yet. of course, like any natural disaster, in a sense, there is a clear up operation and it will take several years to get on top of the backlog and the destruction that occurred because of the virus. ., ., ,, , ~ , the virus. you mentioned strep a. is there a shortage _ the virus. you mentioned strep a. is there a shortage of _ the virus. you mentioned strep a. is there a shortage of antibiotics, i there a shortage of antibiotics, some families are really worried about this, some children have died as a result of the infection. we have heard from stuart rose, that a huge business like asda isn't able to get the supplies they want. is there a shortage of antibiotics? let me say fir5t there a shortage of antibiotics? let me say first that it is not unusual to see cases of strep a at this sort of level. we have seen it in previous years. what is unusual is that we are seeing earlier, the start of winter, and we usually see a peak at the end of winter. that is why we have alerted parents and health care professionals, to watch out for symptoms.— health care professionals, to watch out for symptoms. what should people watch for? let's _ out for symptoms. what should people watch for? let's be _ out for symptoms. what should people watch for? let's be clear, _ out for symptoms. what should people watch for? let's be clear, with - watch for? let's be clear, with parents in particular.— watch for? let's be clear, with parents in particular. group a strep is a mild infection _ parents in particular. group a strep is a mild infection for— parents in particular. group a strep is a mild infection for the _ parents in particular. group a strep is a mild infection for the majority l is a mild infection for the majority of children, nonspecific symptoms like a sore throat. you could develop scarlett fever, you get a widespread rash, like sandpaper, red and bumpy tone, so—called strawberry tongue. the best thing is to look online, there are a list of symptoms and it gives advice on the circumstances in which you should contact professionals. antibiotics are typical treatment for scarlett fever. we have plenty of antibiotics. we have been asking people to prescribe them earlier. that means that pharmacies have needed extra supplies, so the government is working with wholesalers to make sure they get through. is there are not a shortage? you say there is enough in the big picture. we know from families coming to the press and saying they cannot get it, we know it from social media. some prices spiking, ordinary penicillin costs going through the roof. if it is a shortage in real life, even if there is not a shortage in the big picture, had you fix it? big there is not a shortage in the big picture, had you fix it? by working with wholesalers, _ picture, had you fix it? by working with wholesalers, the _ picture, had you fix it? by working with wholesalers, the department| picture, had you fix it? by working i with wholesalers, the department of health working with wholesalers who supply drugs to pharmacies. we have asked our clinicians to have a slightly lower threshold for use of antibiotics because have increased. that means we have to restock pharmacies. that means we have to restock pharmacies-— that means we have to restock harmacies. �* , ., _, ., pharmacies. are you confident that every family. _ pharmacies. are you confident that every family. every _ pharmacies. are you confident that every family, every child _ pharmacies. are you confident that every family, every child who i pharmacies. are you confident that| every family, every child who needs antibiotics will be able to get it this winter? we antibiotics will be able to get it this winter?— antibiotics will be able to get it this winter? ~ ., ., ~ ., this winter? we are working hard, the department — this winter? we are working hard, the department of— this winter? we are working hard, the department of health - this winter? we are working hard, the department of health is i this winter? we are working hard, i the department of health is working hard, to ensure supplies come out from wholesalers into pharmacies. we want to reassure people, this is a mild infection. the vast —— a mild infection in the vast majority of cases. unfortunately we have had the tragic death in the last few weeks. how quickly will you be able to get the antibiotics available?— the antibiotics available? supply chains work _ the antibiotics available? supply chains work really _ the antibiotics available? supply chains work really well. - the antibiotics available? supply chains work really well. i - the antibiotics available? supply chains work really well. i expect | the antibiotics available? supply i chains work really well. i expect he would see supplies coming out to pharmacies literally as we speak. in pharmacies literally as we speak. in the next few days? there _ pharmacies literally as we speak. in the next few days? there is - pharmacies literally as we speak. in the next few days? there is a i pharmacies literally as we speak. in | the next few days? there is a supply chain can assist _ the next few days? there is a supply chain can assist in _ the next few days? there is a supply chain can assist in place, _ the next few days? there is a supply chain can assist in place, the - chain can assist in place, the department of health, as i say, working with wholesalers to get drugs out. $55 working with wholesalers to get dru~s out. w ,, working with wholesalers to get dru~s out. a i. ., working with wholesalers to get drus out. �* , . ., drugs out. as you are here, i want to ask about _ drugs out. as you are here, i want to ask about the _ drugs out. as you are here, i want to ask about the general— drugs out. as you are here, i want to ask about the general state i drugs out. as you are here, i want to ask about the general state of l to ask about the general state of the health service. we all know and you have explained really clearly the reason why there is so much pressure. as someone who has been adopted for a long time, do you worry about the way things are going? —— a doctor. someone who died outside a hospital in an ambulance because they could not get into a&e, a few years ago, it would have been a few years ago, it would have been a huge scandal. politicians would have been under enormous pressure to fix it, there would have been a massive outcry. now we are hearing these desperate stories fairly regularly. forsomeone these desperate stories fairly regularly. for someone with your experience, how do you describe the state of things right now? it is state of things right now? it is disturbing- — state of things right now? it is disturbing. the _ state of things right now? it 3 disturbing. the health pressure is under huge pressure. we have been planning for winterfor under huge pressure. we have been planning for winter for many months. we have been increasing capacity with around 7000 bed equivalents, that includes things like so—called virtual wards in the community where we can provide treatment and care at home that previously would have been provided in a hospital bed. we are increasing the number of 111 call handlers this winter and introducing local system control centres to manage pressures between how systems and social care. we are putting on systems for the frail and elderly who have a full can be managed at home and not have to go into hospital. home and not have to go into hosital. ., ., , ., home and not have to go into hosital. ., . , ., , hospital. you are trying all sorts of wa s hospital. you are trying all sorts of ways to _ hospital. you are trying all sorts of ways to manage _ hospital. you are trying all sorts of ways to manage the - hospital. you are trying all sorts| of ways to manage the pressure. hospital. you are trying all sorts i of ways to manage the pressure. you cannot get the staff to deal with demand. how can we confront the problem with the workforce? is demand. how can we confront the problem with the workforce? is that the heart of — problem with the workforce? is that the heart of the _ problem with the workforce? is that the heart of the problem? - problem with the workforce? is that the heart of the problem? the i problem with the workforce? is that the heart of the problem? the nhs| the heart of the problem? the nhs needs more staff can absolutely. we have 100,000 vacancies at the moment in the nhs in england. if you compare that with neighbouring european countries, we have fewer doctors per head of the population. the government has asked as to produce a long—term workforce plan. we are working on that and hope to publish it in the spring. that will weigh out what we think we need. if you ask me personally when it comes to doctors, i think we need more medical school places. as a first step we should increase the number of medical student places by around 1000 to 2000. i would deliberately create those places at existing or new medical schools in parts of the country where we have staff shortages because we know people tend to put roots down in areas where they train. there is a growing consensus on this. the chancellor, when he was chair of the health and social care select committee called for an increase in medical school numbers and the shadow health secretary, who i know you will be talking to later, has also called for an increase. i think there is an opportunity to work to increase our trained workforce here in the uk. perhaps that is the long—term change that will make the difference. yes. that will make the difference. yes, we need to — that will make the difference. yes, we need to retain _ that will make the difference. yes, we need to retain staff, _ that will make the difference. yes, we need to retain staff, we - that will make the difference. yes we need to retain staff, we can recruit internationally but ultimately we need to train all staff in this country.— ultimately we need to train all staff in this country. thank you so much for being — staff in this country. thank you so much for being with _ staff in this country. thank you so much for being with us _ staff in this country. thank you so much for being with us this i staff in this country. thank you so i much for being with us this morning. lots to diejust much for being with us this morning. lots to die just in. let's get back over to our panel. pat cullen from the royal college of nurses it is here with us. he said the action puts the recovery from coronavirus at risk, what he have to say? coronavirus at risk, what he have to sa ? ~ ., coronavirus at risk, what he have to sa ? ~ . ., _ coronavirus at risk, what he have to sa? . ., , ., say? what he did not say is that the one dae day of action that nurses are i one day of action that nurses are going to take on thursday has not created the 7.2 million people sitting on waiting lists. the nhs has been in crisis for many, many years. has not been caused by nurses. what sort of a state would we be in if we did not have nurses working additional unpaid hours, working additional unpaid hours, working every hour they can get in the day? what are we doing with those people? we are paying than the lowest possible wage we can. international evidence brought out by the 0ecd last week shows and this is despicable, uk nurses are paid the lowest in europe. what way is that to run a country and toward those people? they kept us going during a pandemic. what those people? they kept us going during a pandemic.— those people? they kept us going during a pandemic. what do you say to politicians — during a pandemic. what do you say to politicians and _ during a pandemic. what do you say to politicians and some _ during a pandem
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