Tory blame for op crisis
The pandemic has tested the National Health Service to its limits.
Never before has the NHS had to deal with so many acute and emergency cases.
While not every life could be saved, doctors and nurses showed extraordinary dedication under immense pressure.
Operations and procedures had to be delayed or cancelled. As a result, 4.7 million are on waiting lists, a 14-year high. They include nearly 400,000 waiting more than a year for non-urgent surgery.
The Government is promising extra funds to help clear the backlog and must do so.
But the truth is the situation was made far worse by the Conservatives’ failure to invest properly in the NHS in the years leading up to coronavirus.
The health service went into this crisis ill prepared and underfunded. It should never be left in such a situation again.
Welcome law
Until recently a murderer could still be granted parole even if they refused to reveal the location of the victim’s body.
That situation has now changed thanks to the introduction of Helen’s Law.
This law is named in recognition of murdered Helen McCourt, whose killer has never disclosed the whereabouts of her remains. It came into force thanks to the tireless campaigning by her mother Marie.
The Parole Board now has to consider “non disclosure” by a prisoner before granting him or her release. This will be tested for the first time next month.
We urge the board to do the right thing.
Losing a loved one to a murderer must be a cause of unimaginable grief.
When the culprit refuses to show any remorse that pain is all the more intolerable.
Rover and out
Prince Philip’s coffin will travel to his funeral on a Land Rover he helped design.
You could say it is a perfect choice of hearse: sturdy, reliable and a true Defender.
