Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, there have been hundreds of deaths among healthcare staff from Covid and many thousands off sick or self-isolating, but many hospital staff say they still don’t feel properly protected at work.

They blame a sudden weakening in policy on masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) early in the pandemic.

And the largest health unions and many professional groups say the new variants of the coronavirus could put staff at even greater risk.

Matt Butler was preparing for a weekend shift last March, aware he would be caring for his first Covid-19 patient.

A consultant in geriatrics, he knew that the disease was taking a terrible toll on the elderly.

Read More