An estimated one in every 15 people in the uk tested positive for covid. Its because of the threat from omicron that i announced on wednesday that we will move to plan b in england. You must wear a Face Covering in indoor public spaces and, from tomorrow, work from home if you can. Faced with a huge number of infections, in early December Of 2021 the government had already been forced to introduce what it called its plan b measures, facemasks, Compuslory Covid passes and working from home. And just a few days into the new year, a grim milestone, the uk reached 150,000 covid related deaths. To picture 150,000 people, it helps to start small. So this is one student, but in a classroom they might be around 30 of them. There is between 500 or 2,500 people at small gigs or in a nightclub. But see how 21,000 fans can fill manchester arena. The biggest events hold more than this. More than 73,000 in the principality stadium in cardiff, 90,000 at wembley. And see how 100,000 people turned out for this Climate Change strike during c0 p26. And this crowd arent even all of the 135,000 people who buy tickets for glastonbury every year. But 150,000 people, thats everyone who lives in a city such as 0xford. 0ther Covid Waves came and went, in march, july and october, but that was the last time restrictions on socialising were put in place. And, crucially, while the number of people admitted to hospital did rise with each successive wave, they were nowhere near the peak seen in january 2021. And the same is true of deaths due to covid. Each saw an increase in deaths although nowhere near what was seen in 2021 and lower with each successive wave. And it did start to feel, towards the end of january, even though there was still thousands of new infections every day, that life might be getting back to normal. Masks on and off, the rules have changed at various times over the last two years but in england the government has said they will no longer be compulsory in shops and on public transport. The Prime Minister said masks would still be advisable in some settings but it was now down to personal choice. We will trust the judgment of the british people. And no longer criminalise anyone who chooses not to wear one. So what is the trend now for covid cases . One of the most authoritative sources is the Community Infection survey by the office for national statistics, which picks up those without symptoms. And the head of the 0ns thanks this is a significant moment. Were certainly seeing a major Turning Point and were certainly seeing a real reduction. The question i ask is that were not sure yet whether thats going to continue to go down. Ministers want to end Self Isolation Rules in march or even before if possible and say they will be reviewed. It is reasonable to think, just as were living with the flu for example, we dont require people to legally self isolate but to remain cautious, to be sensible if they are infected. We will eventually have to find a way to live with covid in a similar fashion. At this hospital the number of Covid Patients in Intensive Care has come down a bit since last week. But doctors are urging the public to remain cautious as restrictions are eased. In scotland, mandatory mask wearing will continue in most indoor public spaces but most other restrictions will be lifted from monday. In wales, nightclubs can open at the end of next week, though they will remain closed for now in northern ireland. The devolve nations are moving at different speeds, charting their own courses through this stage of the pandemic. There were some cautious voices too. Always the fear a new variant could emerge and covid could come racing back. The one think that this viruses taught you is not to be cocky. So i think we just need to go very carefully, we need to monitor it carefully and be prepared to react. For most of us, restrictions were starting to ease off but the consequences of this pandemic were still playing out. Health Service Staff had performed heroically in the long months that covid was running rampant. But now an exhausted workforce, not to mention patients, were facing a huge backlog in cases. Injanuary, 6 Million People were waiting for routine treatment. And that numberjust kept growing throughout the year. Things were made tougher by the ongoing impact of the pandemic with each successive wave of covid staff also fell sick or had to isolate. This was coventry hospital in april. A gentleman who has been here since 2 59 yesterday afternoon. A combination of pre existing Staff Shortages kept covid and lots of people who had delayed seeking help during the pandemic the nhs across the uk facing unprecedented demand. This manifested itself notjust in a growing waiting list for planned operations, but in waits in a e, Gp Appointments and ambulance callouts. Jerry has been trying to piece together what happened on the night his father died. He was looking for the ambulance that never came. Kenneth was in good shape for a 94 year old. A retired carpenter, he lived alone in the cotswolds. On that night the Health Service was under pressure. The bbc applied to see documents from an inquest into his death. They show that at 2 53am ken got out of bed and fell. He collapsed on the floor and called 999 twice from his mobile. Ken was recorded as an urgent category two the case, meaning and ambulance should have arrived in 18 minutes on average. Ken waited for an hour on the floor before calling a third time. The details are distressing. It took another four hours for an ambulance to arrive. By then ken was unconscious. He was taken to gloucestershire Royal Hospital where he died that afternoon from a bleed to the brain. He was on his own. He knew he was on his own. And he must� ve felt abandoned. You know, alone on his bedroom floor. That is the most troubling part for me. Increasingly, Ambulance Crews were getting stuck outside hospitals because they couldnt hand over patients. And busy hospitals struggled to admit people because of delays with discharging them into social care. Even at the height of summer, normally a relatively quiet time in the nhs, there was no relief. There were fears too about the impact of record Summer Temperatures can have on services on older people and those with particular Health Conditions especially vulnerable. A e at A Surrey Hospital this morning. The challenge as usual is Finding Space for new patients and transferring those who need it to the wards. Were often coming in and in the morning with 25 to 35 patients waiting for a bed. They say there are no longer seasonal differences. There would be a winter and a summer in that something we havent seen in many years. And covid and the heatwave just make it even worse. Ive been at this hospital for 16 years and ive never seen it as busy as it is now. Ambulance services across england are on the higher State Of Alert and under extreme pressure with covid staff absences affected. A factor. Were not performing anywhere near where we should be. And i know from my own experience that lives are being put at risk and have been all the way through this period of time. By august a record 6. 6 Million People in england alone were waiting for planned surgery. Patients like james, now fit and healthy face an agonising wait for an operation. An infection damaged his heart and left him needing a new heart valve. At five times the operation was canceled. What was it like every time you had your operation cancelled, but with three ahead . You wake up the next morning they shave your chest, they get you a down and theyll left you and say sorry theres nothing today. 0h. Then in your emotions just go. I could see my myself getting more poorly. At what point of the guinness say we need to get you in otherwise you gonna die . As i can happen, emma ge die . You just dont know. Am i going to die. There were some encouraging signs the longest weitzen started to fall. Waits. But problems remained with discharging patients with only four in ten able to leave hospital when they were well enough to do so. The data all painted a picture the Struggle Playback System all struggling to cope. Behind the statistics were personal stories like those of james. Into the autumn, the waiting list for routine treatments, things like knee or hip replacements, continue to grow, reaching Seven Million in england alone in september and october. I havent always been able to walk as far as i like to walk. Specifically due to the hernia, especially early on when it was very painful. Marcus has been waiting for a Hernia Operation for close to four years. During that time hes received just one letter from the hospital. Now its more about how it looks, how it appears, its obvious now when im standing up and walking, i can get away from it. I can conceal it anymore. I tend to stay home. Surgeons say Operations Figures are being left unused by Staff Shortages, a lack of beds and complications related to covid. Very often its often not clear until the morning whether its possible. There are times when there arent the necessary beds available, particularly if Critical Care is needed and that is terrible for patients because they come into hospital expected to have their operation. If there are the necessary resource to support that then unfortunate it is cancelled on the day. And its notjust treatment whether a long waits. Todays figures show 71 of patients in english a e were seen within four hours in september, the worst on record. Senior nhs england Officials Say there is no date to neglect out they are under huge pressure. No doubt theyre under huge pressure. The nhs was once again is the most efficient Health Service in the world. But experts say it cant work miracles. The nhs is trying to be as efficient as it can and maximise its resources. I think you have to fundamentally look at their resources. Compared to other countries we still have fewer doctors per head, nurses per head, Hospital Beds for heads. So even the most efficient system in the world can only get through so much work if it hasnt got the fundamental resources it needs. The government says is creating surgical hubs and diagnostic centres and communities to help tackle the backlog. But others have described the record of 7 Million People in the waiting the shortage of staff is a problem that predates the pandemic and many Health Experts say this is the key issue facing the nhs. Without the staff, the backlog of cases will be with us for years. Not unrelated to covid, The Cost Of Living crisis was developing. It was only made worse by the word the world in ukraine which pushed up Energy Prices and cause real concern for those whose health depend on equipment that uses a lot of electricity. The war in ukraine. Im just sick of having to make choices for them and they have to be the right choices. If not, its my health thats going to be affected for the at the end of the line i dont want to be any more poorly. Laura has been battling Kidney Disease and she was seven and has already had two kidney transplants. Now she needs another. Because of the dialysis machine, its constantly filtering the water and that waterjust gets wasted. She depends on dialysis where a machine carries out the Filtering Process that would normally be done by kidneys. Without dialysis i think they say, if you live past seven days, thats how serious it is. Lara was having dialysis at home but the machine uses so much electricity and water the mounting bills have forced her to switch to a local hospital. I would say thats the straw that broke the camels back really come up with the cost of running the dialysis machine, the water it uses, the electric, it was adding to my anxiety. Like, how am i going to pay for this treatment every month . A very worrying time. Thats a lot to cope with. Yes, my little dog helps. Its hard. Being ill a long time now so ijust try and live life as best i can. And now gps and Front Line Health Care workers are warning rising costs are starting to have a much broader impact. Those cost of living Impacts Onlyjust filtering through for the people who are on the lowest income will feel them now. In north Liverpooljeep Pjanet and her team have for years seen how poverty can badly affect health. Leaving in that Chronic Stress does really bad things to your Blood Pressure and metabolism. And can lead to illnesses like diabetes. Now the rising costs are making a bad situation worse. Were seeing people limiting the amount of meals they will eat in a week for subconsciously planning to miss meals. Were seeing people deciding not to collect medications, not to pay for prescription items. Were seeing the impact on Transport Costs and also things like data for phones to Access Vital Services that would support health. Rising costs of basic foods, rice, cereal, bread, pasta is an obvious concern. In darlington and innovative Mobile Food Club is helping people continue to eat healthy. Forjust £7. 50 you can get £35 worth of fresh fruit, veggies and meat. Essential for someone like mark put this project offers real life life at the moment i have to count every penny to make sure i have for the nappy, the cream, the wipes. Hes five months, i will wean him off the food. The saving will allow me to buy him better veg, better fruit so he can actually have a good start in life. Without it, i dont know what i would do. In one of the wealthiest countries in the 215t century i have to worry about not feeding my babies, which is really sad. And steve who lost his job during the pandemic now trying to give his three growing teenage sons a decent diet while struggling to pay the bills. Were no different to any otherfamily in the uk. Things like this and from a health Point Of View they are packed with fruit and veg with the stuff we wouldnt normally try. It gives us impetus to try things that we norm but not wouldnt normally buy for that is difficult and its good to get worse and its getting harder. Were at the bottom end of this for the unfortunately, its going to get to the point that im sure sometime work and have to make decisions of meals and things that we wouldnt had to of made before. Schemes like this offer people the chance to stay healthy even as budgets are squeezed. But no one believes the pressures on Family Finances will ease anytime soon. And that has implications for our health too. Everything is gone up, its not coming down. My bills have doubled now. Either choose to eat or heat. Some people have to cut down on the essentials. Its Notjust Homes and businesses that face the impact of rising prices. The nhs too faces increasing bills for food, energy and wages. Budgets for Services LikePublic Health, which cover everything from stop Smoking Services to advice on contraception are under extreme pressure. This is what Public Health in action looks like. Hi, im carolyn from the quit smoking team. Anthony is a smoker but with a fractured foot and soldiers he is now stuck in Queen Elizabeth hospital. How cigarettes do you normally smoke a day of anthony . Ten at the most. So carol sees a chance to help anthony quit. We can offer you some patches for your arm. Its something to do with your hands. That is full of nicotine as well. Carol herself gave a smoking five years ago. She understands how hard it can be. If i could do it anybody can. And i did it. So you can as well. And she fears what might happen if this kind of service didnt exist. I just think people will die sooner because they are not getting the support that they need. And i think now if were educating the mothers they are going to educate their children not to smoke as well. Its them that are the future, isnt it . In england Public Health measures like stop Smoking Services are funded by local authorities with a grant from Social Care Worth £3. 11 billion this year. The budgets have been squeezed hard over the last decade and a rising inflation means the money is getting spread ever more thinly. In communities like gates heads with areas of Surveyor Deprivation talk of further budget cuts is a bleak prospect. It really concerns me. Im here to improve and protect the health and well being of the population in gateshead. And actually having some of the limitations around budgets of really concerning. If you take tobacco for example, Tobacco Harmon Gate said cost about £62 million a year, about £9 million to the nhs. Tobacco harm. If were reducing some of those services that help us to tackle that issue it doesnt make any sense. The Department Of Health and social care is as Public Health grants for next year will be announced in due course but the worry is that double digit inflation will mean Vital Services will be lost and the health of the poorest communities will suffer. There were some other significant milestones this year. Thousands of people were left infected with hepatitis and hiv through contaminated blood in the 1970s and 80s. At the long running Public Inquiry into the scandal, messages have been left in bottles remembering loved ones who are lost their lives. Injuly the inquiry heard an announcement that it been a Long Time Coming for those affected. I decided to recommend the payments of no less than £100,000 are made to all the affected people not the bereaved people currently registered. Another Public Inquiry got underway. This one into the response of the covid pandemic. The Inquiry Chair said one word up the pandemic laws. Loss. Those who were bereaved lost the most. They lost loved ones and the ability to mourn properly. It is therefore right that we begin this first hearing with eight minute silence for those who died. A minutes silence. Witnesses including ministers who made the key decisions at the time work start giving evidence in the spring. In the Summer Dozens of countries are an outbreak of a rare little known disease called monkeypox, normally confined to western and central africa. In the uk the vast majority of cases were in men who have sex with men, with infection speaking injuly. A Vaccination Programme help bring cases down. As a year drew to a close across the uk the Health Services based industrial action overpay. Ambulance crews, portersn, cleaners and the biggest ever strike by nursing staff. Im striking for the future of nursing. Most importantly, our patients. And the turmoil that Group Uk Politics in 2022 had a predictable impact in the Department Of Health for england. 0ut went sajid javid, when he resigned in protest at borisjohnson� s leadership, in came Steve Barkley as his replacement, but he was out when liz truss became Prime Minister and in came therese coffey. Just a few weeks later out went coffey and welcome back steve barclay. Four all Health Secretary in as many months, one of whom was the same person. There is also one bit of data that suggest the impact of covid will remain with all of us for a long time to come. Most of the year the number of excess deaths recorded in the uk has been well above the five year average. That means hundreds of extra deaths a week but less than half directly linked to the virus. Some of those deaths may be because of the very hot weather we had in the summer and we do have an ageing population. But its also possible that a previous Covid Infection has left some people more frail. We also know the pandemic has left others less healthy. For example, Alcohol Consumption is up while physical activity has fallen. Early on in the pandemic many people stayed away from the nhs and that led to concerns of undiagnosed conditions like heart disease. Health experts have warned that the current pressures on the Emergency Care system, for example long waits for ambulances make it more likely that some patients could die. Either way, it suggests the pressures on the Health Service extreme as they have been this year showed no sign of letting up. Across the uk The Nhs Heads into 2023 facing one of the Biggest Challenges in its history. Hello, for many of us through the rest of the day, tonight and well into Christmas Day at the weather will stay on the mild side. Its been pretty cloudy for the most of us today but there has been some lovely sunshine across parts of the midlands and he in North East England is, seeing some sunshine as well. The North Western areas, different story, we have seen this figure cloud edging in recent hours and this is rain bearing clouds. 0therwise South Westerly Winds continue to dredge up this mild air and pushes across the uk, hence those item bridges for december. At the moment we have rain turning more heavy, more persistent as well for northern ireland, that is getting into scotland and into cumbria as well. Increasing wet for these areas. 0vernight the rain is gradually pushing its way eastwards, all the while we will continue to feel those South Westerly Winds and because of that its not going to be a cold night. It will be frost free for all of us with temperatures slowly drifting down to between a 69. Slowly drifting down to between a 6 9. Nine is slowly drifting down to between a 6 9. Nine is milder than it should be during the afternoon, let alone at the end of the night, so pretty mild. For Christmas Day low pressure to the north of scotland and for most of the day will continue to have these South Westerly Winds again bringing bursts of rain. Wettest weather across western areas, some bite was sunny spells at times across central and eastern areas of the uk. This band of Rain Pushes Southwards Across Scotland and into the north west late in the day we will start to get some colder air arriving day we will start to get some colder airarriving and day we will start to get some colder air arriving and with showers in the forecast here, its possible that you could see a little bit of snow mixed in with the showers. Through to boxing day there is a risk of ice building and he has temperatures dive heading into boxing day itself. For boxing day there will be lows more snow showers around in scotland and regulations of snow expected, if you centimetres at lower elevations but on the mountains 5 10 centimetres, drifting listed in the strong winds here as well, so some pro travelling conditions and there will be places where temperatures really struggle to get above freezing. But the rest of the uk down on what we have seen in recent days, typically between 5 9 c. Then between christmas and new year the Weather Pattern stays unsettled, cloudy afternoon with some heavy rain around and some strong winds, particularly through wednesday we will probably see gales or maybe even some severe gales developing, but for the next couple of days at least and for the rest of today and Christmas Day, for most of us, it will stay mild with alljust a small chance of if you seeing a white chris was in the north west of scotland. This is bbc news with the headlines. Plunging temperatures are gripping much of the United States and canada, with more than 250 Million People facing life threatening conditions. Weve had ice, flooding, snow, freezing temperatures and everything that Mother Nature could wallop at us this weekend. Protests turn violent as thousands of people take to the streets of paris after a gunman with a history of racist violence killed three people at a kurdish cultural centre. Here in the uk the railways are at a standstill as workers walk out over pay and conditions