Government denies plan for October half-term lockdown but says option remains open if NHS overwhelmedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageDowning Street has not ruled out a “firebreak” lockdown as a last resort if the NHS were to…
Coronavirus live: passports ‘needed to keep England venues open’; Vietnam says city residents must get vaccine
England vaccines minister says passes needed for nightclubs and mass events; Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi residents must receive one dose by 15 SeptemberChildren could override parents’ decision on vaccines, says ZahawiVaccines for care home staff: why …
NHS gender identity clinic whistleblower wins damages
Child safeguarding expert awarded £20,000 after bringing claim against Tavistock and Portman trustA child safeguarding expert who faced vilification after raising concerns about the safety of children undergoing treatment at a London NHS gender identit…
Lockdown weight gain puts more at risk of type 2 diabetes, NHS study finds
People asking the NHS for weight-loss help are on average 2.27kg heavier than those during the previous three yearsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWeight gained during the pandemic is putting more people at higher risk of de…
The Guardian view on social care funding: fairness is the key | Editorial
A plan to split the proceeds of a national insurance rise between the NHS and social care could worsen intergenerational injusticeAn announcement on social care funding is imminent, with a national insurance rise the probable outcome. But what ought to…
Hospital calls for action to stop cyclist deaths at notorious London junction
Colleagues of Dr Marta Krawiec, who was killed while riding to work, say urgent safety work is neededA leading hospital has called for immediate safety works at a notoriously dangerous junction in central London where one of its doctors was killed last…
Who is now receiving critical care for Covid? | David Spiegelhalter and Anthony Masters
Almost one in three younger women admitted are currently or recently pregnantIn his memoir of having Covid-19, the poet Michael Rosen recalled doctors telling him he had a 50–50 chance of surviving mechanical ventilation.This advice was optimistic: of …
Confusion over Covid jabs for over-12s in England ahead of new school term
JCVI is understood to have concerns about the affect of the jab on other childhood inoculationsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageConfusion is growing over whether all children aged 12 and over will soon be offered a Covid jab …
Doctors in England ration blood tests due to sample bottle shortage
Some GPs have had to stop giving routine blood tests for high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetesHospitals and GPs in England are being forced to ration blood tests as the NHS struggles to cope with a severe shortage of the plastic sample bottle…
UK names John Edwards as its choice for next data protection chief as gov’t eyes watering down privacy standards
The UK government has named the person it wants to take over as its chief data protection watchdog, with sitting commissioner Elizabeth Denham overdue to vacate the post: The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) today said its preferred replacement is New Zealand’s privacy commissioner, John Edwards. Edwards, who has a legal background, […]