Northern NHS trusts have expressed concern over the risks posed by “prematurely” moving areas out of Tier 3 measures ahead of the Government’s review of England’s coronavirus restrictions.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to announce the outcome of the latest review of the country’s tier system on Thursday.
It follows emergency action to place London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire into Tier 3, the highest level of restrictions, earlier this week amid rising Covid-19 infections.
Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers – which represents hospital trusts in England, said the Government was right to make that move as “there is a ring of areas around London – for example, in the home counties – where trusts are alarmed at the rise in infection rates and hospital admissions”.