Transcripts For BBCNEWS Victoria Derbyshire 20200207

Unplanned pregnancies and abortions. Well talk to Sharon Macarthur who has been forced to ration her hrt medication. And we reunite a woman with her long lost dog hazel after she saw her pets face on a beer can, nearly three years after she went missing. I feel like i ifeel like i won i feel like i won the lottery. Its like christmas. Hazel is currently on a 26 hour road trip to get back to her owner well speak to them both. We arejust we are just hearing the news about Phillip Schofield, he has put on his instagram a rabbit moving letter in the last few moments, i will read some of it. He says you never know whats going on in someone has maximally perfect life, and so you wont know what has been consuming meat for the last few years. With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters i have been coming to terms with the fact that i am 93v to terms with the fact that i am gay. He goes on to say its something that has caused many heartbreaking conversations at home, ive been married to steph for nearly 27 years and we have two beautiful grown up daughters, molly and ruby. My family have helped me so and ruby. My family have helped me so close, they had tried to cheer me up, smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusion yet still i can sleep and there have been some very dark moments. My inner conflict contrasts with an outside world that has changed so very much for the better. Today, quite rightly, being gay is a reason to celebrate and be proud, yes i am feeling pain and confusion but that comes only from the heart that i am causing to my family. Steph has been incredible, i love her so very much, she is the kindest so i have ever met, my girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort. Both mine and step s entire families have stunned me with a locum instant acceptance and support, they are worried about steph but i know they will both scoop us steph but i know they will both scoop us up, my friends at the best, especially holly who has been so kind and wise and who has had me as i sobbed on her shoulder at itv, i couldnt hope to work with more wonderful, supportive teams. Every day on the sofa i said in all of those we meet to have been brave and openin those we meet to have been brave and open in confronting their truth so now its my turn to share mine. This will probably all come as something ofa will probably all come as something of a surprise and i understand but only by facing this, by being honest, can i hope to find peace in my mind and a way forward. Please be kind, especially to my family. Philip. That very moving letter detailing what he has been dealing with himself and his family dealing with himself and his family dealing with over recent times. As going out on instagram and we will be talking about that a little bit later. Were live until 11 this morning. Do let us know if you have had or are having any inner struggles and how you are coping with it, and your family, as she perhaps have come to terms are coming to terms with something that is causing you in turmoil. Also are you struggling to get your usual contraceptive or hrt . And if so, what impact is it having on you . Are you worried about an unplanned pregancy as a result . Get in touch. Use the hashtag victoria live. Good morning. Its emerged that a teenager who threw a young boy of the temple at the tate modern had warned carers a year earlier that he wa nted warned carers a year earlier that he wanted per someone from a tall building. 18 year old jonty bravery will be sentenced on ten days for attempted murder. The Care Quality Commission will review the case, the ca Re Commission will review the case, the care Company Involved insists it acted entirely properly. Another 41 people including one from the uk have tested positive for the coronavirus on a cruise ship off the coast of japan, bringing the total number of cases on board to 61. Nearly 4000 passengers and crew are being held in quarantine on the diamond princess in yokohama. Doctors are warning that unacceptable shortages of hormone replacement therapy are harming women while the struggle to access some contraceptives risks are rising unplanned pregnancies and abortions. Leading Sexual Health experts have written to ministers warning the ongoing manufacturing and supply shortage is beginning to lead to Serious Problems across the uk. Prince andrew has deferred an honorary navy promotion after stepping back from public duties over his links to a sex offender. The duke of york was due to become an admiral on his birthday later this month, hes decided not to take the title for the time being. Shamima begum the Bethnal Green schoolgirl who ran off to join the Group Calling itself Islamic State is lost the first stage of her appeal against having her british citizenship stripped. The special Immigration Appeals Commission which hears National Security cases said the 20 year old could be stripped of her nationality because she had not been left stateless. The organisation said she could turn instead to bangladesh for citizenship. Its claimed many people have lost faith in the ability of police to investigate everyday offences such as burglaries, assaults and car crime. Inspectors say the most recent figures showed suspects were charged in less than 8 of cases in england and wales. They believe its damaging the relationship between police and the public. The government has been warned it could run out of prison places in two yea rs run out of prison places in two years because of tougher sentencing measures and a drive to recruit 20,000 police officers. In a highly critical report the spending watchdog the National Audit office says the prison service, which is an agency of the ministry ofjustice, has failed to provide safe, secure and decentjails across england and wales. There are currently more than 83,000 people locked up and the number is forecast to grow. The philharmonic dining rooms in liverpool have become the first victorian purpose built english pub to be given a grade one listed status. Though other inns and taverns have grade one status, the pub known locally as the fill, becomes the first purpose built ale house erected during the golden age of victorian pub building to achieve the highest status. The labour mp tracy pravin has announced she is auctioning the off the shoulder dress that drew criticism after she worried in the house of commons. Im seeking your advice on an urgent and important matter. This afternoon, accredited lobbyjournalist based in here in the house of commons were denied access to an important briefing with david frost, the Prime Minister s europe advisor on post brexit trade plans. David frost is a Civil Servant and therefore, his briefing on the most prominent issue of the day is supposed to she was forced to defend her attire after the dress slipped off her shoulder when she leaned on the dispatch box because of a broken ankle. That was on tuesday. The mp for batley and spen has since decided to sell the dress for charity on ebay, claiming it sold out on a website because of the coverage. The listing was widely covered across the media. Philip schofield has announced he is coming to terms with the fact that he is 93v to terms with the fact that he is gay. In a statement on instagram. He continued every on this morning i said in all of those we meet who have been brave and open in confronting truth. So now its my turn to share mine. And every person i tell it gets a little lighter and a little lighter. But at the same time, you know, i have made this decision which is essential for me and essential for my head. Decision which is essential for me and essentialfor my head. And thats principally the reason i have done this. Philip schofield speaking in the last few minutes. Those are the main story so far this morning. Joanna, back to you. Thank you. 0bviously joanna, back to you. Thank you. Obviously a huge moment for Philip Schofield to be, on television, explaining on his decision to come out and how he and his family are dealing with that. We will talk a little more about that later. The teenager who threw a six year old boy from the 10th floor of the tate modern in london had spoken about plans to push someone off a high building about a year earlier. Bbc news has obtained a recording ofjonty bravery telling his care workers about a plan to kill someone and go to jail. His care provider, spencer arlington, said they had no knowledge or records of the disclosure. Our special correspondent lucy manning joins me in the studio lucy, this is an absolutely extraordinary revelation. Yes, it was an incident that i think touched everyone, was an incident that i think touched eve ryo ne , every was an incident that i think touched everyone, every family who ever went ona everyone, every family who ever went on a day out, thinking how awful it was what happened to that boy. Jonty bravery admitted trying to murder the boy, he was 17 at the time, he has autism, a possible personality disorder. But what we discovered is that he had actually, you know, in a recording, warned that he was planning to do this. He talked to two of his care workers about this, one of them were so concerned that they recorded it and thats a year, nearly a year before the incident happened. What you are going to hear 110w happened. What you are going to hear now is jonty happened. What you are going to hear now isjonty bravery happened. What you are going to hear now is jonty bravery speaking happened. What you are going to hear now isjonty bravery speaking in 2018. Its quite chilling to hear that recording. The care working who worked with jonty recording. The care working who worked withjonty bravery recording. The care working who worked with jonty bravery wasnt working, wasnt working with him on the day he went to the tate modern but he claimsjonty bravery was allowed to the gallery alone despite the fact he was on bail at the time. He is accused, allegations of attacking another care worker, racially abusing him and also attacking a Police Worker as well. The care worker we are calling 0llie and his voice has been voiced by an actor to give him some anonymity. You are going to hearfrom him now. It was a tragedy waiting to happen. People didnt take certain precautions about what he was saying seriously enough. Do you think he could and should have been stopped . 100 . I feel like him being allowed out independently was a risk to the public. The whole situation could have been dealt with very much differently. That is an extraordinary development. We will be talking more about that in a moment. The young boy, how is he doing . Everyone is concerned about how he is doing the family have set up a fundraising website, raising funds for his rehabilitation. In september they we re rehabilitation. In september they were saying he could not move at all, could not speak but he was able to smile and that was giving them some comfort and over the last few months, they say he has been making progress, he has been able to move his limbs but that has been causing him pain. He started to be able to speak a little bit, syllables, that they can just about understand and two weeks ago, they updated the website to say although he still couldnt walk or talk, he was able to eat a little mash, they were hoping that he could start drinking through a straw. They call him their little fighter. What happens now . There is a serious case review. That means all the people and authorities that were involved in the care of jonty bravery will be looked at. Its important to say spencer and arlington, the care company that provided the care workers forjonty bravery, they denied knowing about this recording, being told about it. They say they acted properly in all ways. But they have referred these new allegations to the council, to the regulator, so it cant be looked at by the serious case review, so hopefully they can get to the bottom of who knew what and whether this could have been prevented. Lucy, thank you very much. Sir stephen bubb is here. He wrote a report urging the government to end long stay hospital care for people with learning disabilities in the wake of the winterbourne view scandal. Thank you forjoining us. What does this tell you about the care system in this country . Its broken for people with learning disabilities and autism. And we have known that for some time. We knew it after the winterbourne view scandal. When i did my report, we knew it when we had the Panorama Programme on waltham hall. We know its a broken system. There is too much resource into institutional care which is often abusive and very little into Community Support and i want to see this institution is closed and resources moved into really effective, strong, Supportive Community care. And facilities. There is going to be a serious case review. Is that enough . No, ithink it needs to be independent. 0ne review. Is that enough . No, ithink it needs to be independent. One of the recommendations i made is that the recommendations i made is that the government should establish an independent commission for people with learning disabilities and autism. And that would be absolutely autism. And that would be absolutely a job for them to look into it, im not sure the councils themselves and the Care Quality Commission themselves are the right people to be doing this review. This is a complex case, there is a big history here, i suspect. Complex case, there is a big history here, isuspect. And i complex case, there is a big history here, i suspect. And i want whistle blowers, people who knew about whats happening, to come forward. Will they come forward to a council lead or a qc led review . Remember the cq c ignored one of its own officials pointing out difficulties with waltham hall. So its time that matt hancock the Health Secretary got a grip on this. Hes announced yet more abuse, hes ignored the review i did, we need action on this, its time he got a grip on it. The Care Quality Commission, is it fit for purpose in your view . They certainly have big issues. They raided waltham hall good. The whistle blower who worked for them thinks they are a serious concern, there are serious concerns and if he had an independent commission, i think thats something they would look at but at root, we really have a problem here. At root you believe its an issue of funding for care in the community . Its funding, its for care in the community . Its funding, its attention, its about closing the institutions, its probably root and branch. And its a puzzle to me why the government arent doing anything about it when they know my review was 2014. I gave them a route plan. In six years theyve done very little on it. Thank you very much sir stephen. Coming up later in the programme. Well discuss the news that tv presenter Phillip Schofield has revealed he is gay, after 27 years of marriage. And still to come. How an advert on a beer can helped to reunite a family with their long lost dog three years after she went missing. Do get in touch if youve been dealing with any personal, private issues that youve found it difficult to open up about. How do you feel about Phillip Schofield coming out today as gay . Has it resonated with you . Do let us know, the usual ways of getting in touch. More than half of those living in poverty in the uk are actually working or living in a house where someone works. Thats according to the anti Poverty Charity thejoseph rowntree foundation. Their state of the nation report says that in the past five years, levels of poverty have risen for children and elderly people, too. And it also suggests that although the gap is narrowing, black and ethnic minority groups are more likely to experience poverty than the white population. We can talk about why that might be with Claire Ainsley from thejoseph rowntree foundation, moses zikusoka, a working single dad and dee woods, who used to be reliant on food kitchens and now runs a food aid project in north london. Welcome all of you and thank you so much for coming in. Moses, you are a single father, you work, what are the challenges you face . Single father, you work, what are the challenges you face . |j single father, you work, what are the challenges you face . I face challenges on multiple levels. I manage my children so i have a full day, starting at 5am, taking my children to school, going to work, after school club, coming home, cooking for them, preparing their homework, thats a challenge and a personal level. Also challenging in terms of where i live, i live with my sister because i cannot afford housing on my own. The cost of childcare is very expensive, the longer hours i work, i pay for childcare which i cannot afford. And the final challenge is getting time to spend with my children, its a vicious cycle. So you are working. But you are in poverty . Its a tough mix. Very much so and getting out of it is even tougher because ive moved from being a part Time Employee to full time, i tried full time, it didnt work out and ive gone back to part time to try and get the balance right, preparing my finances and looking after my children. And whats the situation for you . For me, as a disabled person, i have been extremely difficult, manoeuvring the benefit system. Basically, you know, its literally been eroded. I earn enough literally been eroded. Learn enough or rather too much not to qualify for most benefits so universal credit, housing benefit, but im not earning enough because i work part time. Earning enough because i work parttime. Would you be better off if you werent working at all and you are just getting benefits . Not necessarily. Because ive lost dla which is now pepper. With my last review a couple of years ago, i was told im capable of some work and that i should be in a wheelchair. Pip. Which goes against the medical advice i got which was to keep moving. But, yes moses, you nodded when i asked dee if she would be better off on benefits, do you feel you might . Be better off on benefits, do you feelyou might . Not at be better off on benefits, do you feel you might . Not at all. Be better off on benefits, do you feelyou might . Not at all. Firstly, for self esteem i do not come from a background where i grew up on benefits and its not done something i aspire to, being a professional in my working capacity or my life, i have had quite importantjobs but because of a chain of circumstances i found myself in the united because of a chain of circumstances ifound myself in the United Kingdom on benefits and the level of benefit is not enough to sustain, youre able to pay for housing, rising costs of raising children. As the children get older their needs increase. I do not believe that you are better off on benefits and its not something one aspires to. Claire, the government has spoken and the conservative government over recent yea rs, and the conservative government over recent years, about the desire to get people off benefits and into work and obviously there are people working who are in poverty. So it must be quite a frustrating picture. It is and what we are describing is this rising tide of poverty and actually, the situation that dee and moses described, were actually people want to work but they either cant get the wages or the hours they need the Social Security system isnt doing the work it needs to do to really provide that anchor for people in tough times. We are calling for action to loosen the scrip of poverty in the uk. What would you like to be done . The action we would like to see is employers offering better wages and the right kind of hours for people. We want the government to invest in low cost Affordable Housing because pa rt of low cost Affordable Housing because part of the challenge for people is that their costs have been rising at the same time as their income is flatlining. 0n social we want Social Security to make sure that it offers support for people who cannot. What will happen if work doesnt pay for those . We are facing a real problem and we have a Prime Minister thats talked about levelling up across the uk and we really welcome that message but we are saying today that unless there is action to level up, which isntjust unless there is action to level up, which isnt just about these big Infrastructure Projects that you see, its about people and investing in families and skills in the Social Security system, i think we are going to see a more difficult picture over the next decade. Moses, you said you were living with your sister. Do you see a Better Future for you and the kids . Im always hopeful because of the nature of my personality, im always trying Different Things and i want to be a role model for my children so im a lwa ys role model for my children so im always looking for ways to improve my employment prospects are setting up my employment prospects are setting upa my employment prospects are setting up a business, im working with the local council to see if i can start a business but short term, i dont see a way out. Long term, because its a vicious cycle, you go for permanent employment, full time employment, extra costs and is the result of that you spend less time with your children so you have to weigh the balance, do you want to spend more time with your children which means less money . 0r spend more time with your children which means less money . Or do you wa nt to which means less money . Or do you want to go for more money and the children are affected . I see a lot of cases that parents are forced to make that decision between do they go to work or do they look after their children . Its a tough decision for parents to make. D, you are talking about your personal situation. I know one of the reasons you set up the food bank was because you set up the food bank was because you were using a food bank yourself before. What about the people you see coming in now . Its like a variety of different people including working families, people who are working full time have children. And its just who are working full time have children. And itsjust difficult to manage all the living costs, a lot of people are in debt. A lot of people cannot access the benefits they need. Some people have no recourse to public funds, they are destitute. You know, people have a right to live in dignity. And it is about social, economic rights. And i think women s work needs to be valued more, whether we choose to be ca re rs valued more, whether we choose to be carers and looking after our children, or elderly or disabled people. That isnt valued. Thank you all very much for coming in. Thank you. Philip schofield has revealed this morning in a moving letter on instagram that he is gay. The tv presenter has been married for 27 years and says his family have stunned him with their love, instant acceptance and support heres what he had to say on itvs this morning earlier. Its funny, because everyone ive spoken to, you, have all been so supportive and so loving and caring. And my entire family have grabbed us and said, its ok, its ok. We love you, we are proud of you. And every person i tell it gets a little lighter and a little lighter. Its obviously a huge moment for him. Not easy to come out and do that publicly but as he says, every time he talks about it gets easier. Weve had a huge response were you watching at home. An anonymous text recess i had the same battle, it cost me myjob as a church minister. Iam nowa cost me myjob as a church minister. I am now a widower and free to live my life as a gay man but it was a very painful time and nearly ended in suicide. Jill on e mail says i came out 45 years ago once married with two young children. At the time i was with two young children. At the time iwasa with two young children. At the time i was a mature student. Very involved with the women s movement that was nationwide at the time. The support i got was amazing. The movement became my strength to face the hostility of the world at the time. Nowadays 45 years later the situation in more respects has changed beyond belief and im surprised this is so difficult for people. Is it that the culture has not totally accepted this . Paul stand forth from radio new speed is with me. You saw phillip and holly sitting on the sofa. But it was simon and ruth the usual friday presenters. Philip was interviewed, he talked about his wifes death, married for 27 years, he met here at the bbc what he was presenting children s bbc, he talked a lot about his grown up daughters, and how they had been, in a statement he talks about the strength and support of his wife and daughters, coming to terms with this. During the interview with holly she said how she had been by his side forever and she has clearly known about this news for a little while, he described her as the sister hed never had but it was emotional, his voice cracking at times. And clearly support from his idb colleagues of the interview ended with hugs and applause from his colleagues and the crew. Itv. Very personal situation. But the letter that he has put out is absolutely beautiful. And im sure it will resonate with many, many people when he says you never know whats going on in someone s seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with or the state of their well being. They are struggling with or the state of their wellbeing. Yes, and i think as you already are hearing it opens conversations, you are hearing from people who have come to this decision in later life, you will hear from this decision in later life, you will hearfrom children this decision in later life, you will hear from children whose pa rents will hear from children whose parents have done that in later life, the difficulties that come with that. But other things he said, he said he feels guilty but proud and he spoke about the sort of guests they have on the Programme Every day, people like this programme come and sit and be very honest about their lives and he felt the time had come to do that himself. Worth noting as well some of the hugs came from the friday presenters eamon and ruth, a lot of tabloid reports about the relationship between those two in recent weeks, it was clear at the end of the interview today there was support from them as well. Thank you. Imagine the response weve had. Loads out there so i want to reduce our comments. 0ne twitter user i have a strong link that the nation will rush to support him, i feel pre emptively proud. When e mailer says i admire villa for coming up, this must have been the most difficult thing for him to do, i send my sincere heartfelt feelings to his wife and family for understanding and supporting him. Matt says i can only imagine how difficult it was for philip to come out after being married and having a family. I came out after struggling with my identity and how painful it was, hiding who i was from those i loved. Even though i feared id be ostracised by those, it was hurting me not to tell. Hiding something so integral to who you are for so long and create an overwhelming wave of emotions including the feeling that youre being deceitful, making the decision to come out even more difficult. I praise philip what hes done and sent him and his family love and wishes. Julie says what a difficult letter to write. Its hard, as we can fall in love with people and had partners that are separate to your Sexual Orientation and this can make things so complex. Human nature is complex. I hope they all find peace and happiness. Thank you for those really thoughtful comments. Keep them coming in. A british passenger on board a cruise ship has tested positive for coronavirus. Princess cruises said 41 people, including the one briton, had tested positive for the virus on the diamond princess which is quarantined off yokohama bay in japan. The infected british passenger is believed to be on his honeymoon. In total number of cases on board to 61. Some 3,700 people are on board the diamond princess. Lets get more on this our china correspondent robin brant is in shanghai. Robin, bring us up to date with the latest, constantly evolving situation. With regard to the ship injapan we situation. With regard to the ship in japan we know from situation. With regard to the ship injapan we know from the foreign 0ffice injapan we know from the Foreign Office there are 78 british passport holders on board. Among them, both passengers and crew, we are told, the total number 3700 people but for now, its just sitting there, the total number 3700 people but for now, itsjust sitting there, i think its about halfway its 14 day co re think its about halfway its 14 day core and quarantine period but we hear from people on core and quarantine period but we hearfrom people on board core and quarantine period but we hear from people on board the conditions are pretty restrictive. Theyve got to stay in their cabins. No going out in general. Food brought to them, its a question of sitting it out, with gloves and with masks. So thats the situation. Interns appear in mainland china, the death toll, the number of confirmed cases according to the official details from the Chinese Government continues to increase, the rate of increase slightly dropping over the last 24 hours but 636 people are now dead here from this new type of coronavirus. The number of confirmed cases surpassed 30,000, standing at just number of confirmed cases surpassed 30,000, standing atjust over 31,000. Robin, those cases in singapore are not linked to china . How significant is that . Well, like on the ship injapan, it would appear theres been human to human transmission among people who havent been to wuhan and havent been to the chinese mainland. They appear to have caught the virus from someone who brought it with them and then they passed it onto others. That may be the case on the ship in japan as this just shows us the other problem that presented to the authorities in various countries now. Trying to contain the spread of this virus. Thank you very much. Before 11. We cover the story of how an advertisement on a beer can helped to reunite a family with their long lost dog three years after she went missing. It is an extraordinary story. The dog is currently on a 26 hour drive across the states to be reunited with her family, hour drive across the states to be reunited with herfamily, who have not seen them for sale on. So long. Doctors are warning that a shortage of some types of contraception and hrt is causing chaos and risks unplanned pregnancies and abortions. Leading Sexual Health experts have written to ministers warning that the supply shortage is beginning to lead to Serious Problems across the uk. A number of daily pills and a long acting injectable contraceptive are thought to be affected as well as some types of hrt. We can speak now to Sharon Macarthur who has been rationing her hrt medication, and in the studio we have peter greenhosue, nhs Sexual Health consultant and menopause specialist. Thank you forjoining us. How widespread are the shortages, it has been unfolding across a bit of time. It is all across the country, all across the uk only, interestingly, not in the rest of europe but that is important. Virtually every pharmacy and general practice has shortages of certain hrt products. That has been going on since october 2018. It is well over a year, nearly 18 months. Why do you think it is question what you said it is uk specific and that seems strange. Yes, some people say it must be to do with the way the drug tariff has been altered which happened injuly 2018, there is a very good article on toters media to tell you about this. Explain what happened briefly. The drug tariff was changed so the amount of money that pharmacists we re amount of money that pharmacists were reimbursed was reduced or was fixed at a certain level and with the pound going down, it may well be that simply Market Forces have meant that simply Market Forces have meant that hrt products, which are easily available in any other european country, are not so widely available in the uk. Sharon, you have been rationing your hrt medication, explain what happens, and how long you have been struggling to get hold of it and what you have been doing asa of it and what you have been doing as a result. It was brought to my attention that there were shortages injune last attention that there were shortages in june last year attention that there were shortages injune last yearand attention that there were shortages injune last year and at attention that there were shortages in june last year and at the attention that there were shortages injune last year and at the time, i had about six months supply. Then i was getting more information that was getting more information that was telling me my particular brand was telling me my particular brand was probably going to be out of stock by october. I ended up opening all the packets and systematically counting out the weeks that l all the packets and systematically counting out the weeks that i had and then realising l counting out the weeks that i had and then realising i would be out of stock for myself by christmas. At that point, i decided to halve the medication because i have been so terrified that im going to run out. So literally taking half the dose a day with blue yes. Has that had an impact on you . Luckily for me, it hasnt, l impact on you . Luckily for me, it hasnt, i think i have impact on you . Luckily for me, it hasnt, ithink l have been incredibly lucky that it has not had a huge impact on me personally. I feel so lucky that hasnt happened. But the worry and the concern when you talk about it being available in the rest of europe, i know people who have gone abroad to try to find the stock. At one point, i was shopping around on holiday in greece, trying to find those particular drugs. I have even gone on to Online Pharmacies to try to find that particular hrt. How long will your supplies go on for, even using them at the reduced rate . By march. My hope, all of the literature and information i have been given so far tells me my hrt should come back online towards the end of this month but i should come back online towards the end of this month but lam not hopeful. What will you do if it doesnt . Will you go abroad to get some . You know what . I might. I have even had friends on hrt, we have even had friends on hrt, we have even started to trade, which is ridiculous it is the 21st century. Explain how that is working. Somebody got in touch with me, theres quite a lot of chatter in Menopause Community is, and l have my own page though this woman said she had some spare because some hrt brands dont work for particular individuals so you find you have a surplus you are never going to use. Women are telling other women they have a packet of stuffs and other women saying, ill have it. It is ridiculous. It is, that is incredible that this is happening, peter. You explained the logical explanation for why it might be happening. That is only why it might be happening, we dont know. We dont know for sure if that is the reason or there is another reason. Can you see an obvious end to this . The only way to sort it out is what the Royal College of obstetricians and gynaecologists and other societies, is for a task group to be set up very quickly between government, the industry, the pharmaceutical Services Committee and also of course the charities, Patient Advocates and the medical societies, to get it together very quickly so that we can solve the problem. If it is freely available in europe, it should be available over here and it is a disgrace it has not been fixed long ago. Concerns have been voiced about the possibility of unplanned pregnancies and abortions increasing as a result of this. 0k, well, that is a similar, associated issue, particularly with one particular type of contraception, the self injections. You may have seen the new stories earlier today about that. Certainly, that is something ofa that. Certainly, that is something of a Postcode Lottery where this very useful method of contraception you administer yourself is no longer available. Not at all . Know, there isa available. Not at all . Know, there is a single manufacturer and for some reason, they have supply problems and they are working hard to do something about it. That is not acceptable for the women who depend on it. There is an alternative but it involves going to yourgpfourtimesa alternative but it involves going to your gp four times a year instead of once a year. It is difficult to get agp once a year. It is difficult to get a gp appointment and some women find it very inconvenient and they have to go to Sexual Health clinics which are also overburdened and also underfunded. 0f are also overburdened and also underfunded. Of course, what we are hoping is that they will stop the disinvestment in contraception and Sexual Health services. As sharon said, with hrt, one thing might work for someone and not someone else. How easy is it or even advisable for people to move around what they are using to find something available . Each individual woman responds differently to different hormonal or contraceptive choices or methods. When you have found the method that suits you, you dont really want to change it because you can get all sorts of potential side effects if you have to change. For the treatment that sharon was on, there are some alternatives but it does not suit everybody. And then you have to go to your gp or even pay to go and see a private medical specialist, out of your own pocket, if you like, to try to get it sorted out and not all the gps are fully informed of what the choices are. The British Medical Society has produced a list of the available alternatives but you have to have some skill and experience of actually using these drugs as a clinician and prescribing them to know exactly what the best choices are. You think of the effect on women, though, that if they dont get hrt or they dont get the right supply, get hrt or they dont get the right supply, the effect it has on their mood, their cognition, their ability to process information, to multitask, to cope or even do their job, they are losing work, they are losing relationships, maybe even losing relationships, maybe even losing their lives. We have got serious problem. A final thought from sharon, what does it feel like being on the receiving end of something that is a complete mystery white is unfolding but impacting directly a new . Ijust want white is unfolding but impacting directly a new . I just want to white is unfolding but impacting directly a new . Ijust want to say, why is a woman in the 21st century having to put up with this . It is a disgrace. Who is going to take accountability of this . Own the problem, fix it and make sure that it never happens again. Women are on their knees, everything peter has saidl their knees, everything peter has said i agree with and it is totally unacceptable. Thank you forjoining us. Keep on getting in touch if you are affected us. Keep on getting in touch if you a re affected by us. Keep on getting in touch if you are affected by it, we will be following up on this story so let us know what you are doing to secure your supplies. Get in touch via e mail. Children are still dying in large numbers in syria and no one is listening. Thats what a director of Campaign Group doctors under fire has told this programme. The syrian uprising began in 2011 and despite the fact we no longer hear about it regularly, fighting continues. The exodus of people is getting worse. Since december more than half a Million People have fled their homes in the province of idlib, as their own government tries to take control of the last remaining opposition stronghold. Hospitals and schools are bombed daily. In a moment ,well talk to a doctor in one of the last fully functioning hospitals in idlib about the desperate situation there. Meanwhile, aid groups are calling for a ceasefire and immediate access to safety for the millions of civilians who are currently underfire. Hamish de Bretton Gordon is director of doctors under fire an organisation campaigning to bring to an end attacks against health care in conflict zones, and joining us on skype is dr 0mar alhiraki, a doctor in one of the last remaining hospital in idlib province. Welcome to both of you. 0mar, tell us, i know you have been operating this morning, right up until the point of speaking to us. What conditions are you operating under, there . Thanks for having me, to be honest, we have been seeing mass casualties, from fighting between the assad regime and the iranians militia and russian forces. The bombs destroy everything on the ground so we receive mass casualties. We are dealing with overcrowded hospitals, overcrowded people near the borders. We are now talking about 2 million near the borders. It is difficult to deal with these mass casualties and all of the patients in over areas. And hospitals are specifically being targeted. Has your hospital been targeted . Have you been caught up in anything like that . Yes, our hospital has been targeted twice. In 2014 and 2016, despite existing near the borders. Four hospitals in idlib we re the borders. Four hospitals in idlib were targeted by the assad regime with barrel bombs in the last few days, which destroy everything on the ground. And when hospitals are targeted with barrel bombs, which will obviously have a catastrophic effect, what happens to those in that hospital . Presumably they have to go, as we were saying, yours is one of the last fully functioning hospitals. Unfortunately, we were forced to cease medical operations and to close hospitals and relocate to the border. We are talking about the last remaining field hospitals here in idlib. We are without support, without funding in the last year. To be honest, our hospital will cease without money and funding, and has not had any since december 2019. In this situation, we are unable to meet the needs of our patients or to deal with all the casualties we receive in the hospitals. I think you have not been paid, presumably in common with others working in the hospital, four months. How are you mad thanjane . You are talking about the funding of the hospitals but the individuals also, how are you managing with all of this . Yes, fortunately, the medical team here has been borrowing from their friends who are still alive, to deal with the needs of our home commitments. We risk our lives to help sick and injured people. We are working tirelessly around the clock to provide Emergency Medical Services for people here, as much as we can. Stay with us. Hamish, heroic actions by 0mar and all of those who are working in these conditions to help people in desperate need. Why are hospitals being targeted . We have been talking about this for some time. First, i have known omar for many years and he is an absolute legend. There are few others like him, who do tremendousjobs, and his wife as well, who is a surgeon at the hospital. But it is shocking. We have this kind of medieval carpet bombing coming up from the south, russians, the syrians, dropping barrel bombs, omar has mentioned. 160 in the last five days, over 300 people killed, mainly women and children. These are barrels about this high, full of high explosive and nuts and bolts, that l this high, full of high explosive and nuts and bolts, that ijust dropped. 1 have personal experts, i was in omars hospital some time ago and we received 27 children who were caught ina and we received 27 children who were caught in a barrel bomb attack in a playground in aleppo. They were virtually unrecognisable as humans, 26 of them died. This isjust shocking. Attacking hospitals is a crime against humanity. We, as the un law states, we give the un the coordinates of the hospitals so they cant be attacked, that is how disposed work. Those are shared with the russians and syrians and one can virtually see russian and syrian pilots typing in the coordinates into the bombs and then dropping them, 24 hours later. It always happens, we get great platitudes from the un, discussed in westminster but we do nothing about it. Westminster but we do nothing about it. There is discussed in westminster. Myself and dr david knott who is operating at the moment otherwise he would be here, are saying we must do something about this. Everyone thinks it is almost over. It is not, there are another five or six months of fighting, and i think anne david does as well, up to 100,000 people could die. This is a mediterranean country, two and a half hours flight away, 3 Million People trapped in an area the size of london. What can be done . I think there are a number of things that we must be positive about this. First, eight, the un last night said it was going to put another 350 million worth of aid into syria but it must go into idlib. At the moment it goes to the regime, who distribute it. We must stop the barrel bombs. The turks, l must stop the barrel bombs. The turks, i understand today, are jamming the helicopters that are dropping. Thats great, we need to work with them. These barrel bombs are not killing terrorists. We acce pt are not killing terrorists. We accept that the terrorists need to be defeated but barrel bombs wont get them. Just to expect, this is why idlib is effectively under siege because there are 5000 suspected alqaeda fighters in that area. You are absolutely right but as omar, and it is worth asking him, because the reason. I and it is worth asking him, because the reason. Lwent and it is worth asking him, because the reason. I went to see Andrew Murray said last week, asking for money to give to omar to pay his staff but there is a view in whitehall that all of idlib is overrun by terrorists but where omar is, it is not. Do you want to talk to him directly because i know you have a close personal connection and he is on the line . Omar, if you could tell us, the hyped up al sham terrorist who everyone thinks run idlib, i think we know they run elements of it but in your area, i understand, and please clarify, there are not terrorists, there, so there are not terrorists, there, so there should be no reason why we, why the british government, cant give you aids directly and pay you so you can pay the staff like i cannot give you aid directly so you cannot give you aid directly so you can pay the staff and render help to the people there. That is a good point, there are existing radical forces on the ground but we are talking about 3. 5 million civilians on the ground. We are as a medical staff here a neutral institution, not affiliated with any party or cause, and so many thousands of civilians are here, just as civilians. That is why we need funding just to save lives and deal with the crisis here, because without money, we are unable to deal without money, we are unable to deal with the crisis. And the need is acute, medicalforces, it is unacceptable with 3. 5 Million People under siege in idlib you send some pictures through to us of some of the children you have been operating on. It will be upsetting for people to see potentially, but this is what you are dealing with. A little girl here with her head wrapped in a bandage and her hand pretty badly injured, wrapped up as well. And thatis injured, wrapped up as well. And that is you in theatre, preparing, i presume, to operate on somebody. What is it like for you on a daily basis, having to operate on these people coming in with pretty horrific injuries, life changing injuries . Yeah, yeah, exactly, the photos which i sent you, children playing with metal on a was a class of burn, dropped by helicopters from the barrel bombs, and unfortunately with a class of bum. U nfortu nately we a re unfortunately we are dealing with things like this every day. We are talking about mass casualties, casualties rushed to the emergency room every day, every moment, our hospitals previously covered about 100,000, maybe 200,000 people in the area but now, with the majority of people forced to flee their homes to the north, near the border, we are talking about 2 million or 3 million near the borders and a small field hospital, one of the remaining hospitals here in the area, having to cover 1 hospitals here in the area, having to cover1 million. So without funding, it is impossible to deal with this catastrophe. Thank you very much indeed forjoining us, we wish you all the best with your heroic work out there. Hamish, thank you as well and i have got a support from the foreign of history, we asked them for a comment on what we are talking about today, they directed us to a statement from the uk must do to the un, karen pearce, who said only a political settlement will ultimately help the people of syria. Uk ambassadorto will ultimately help the people of syria. Uk ambassador to the un. Thank you forjoining us. Now on to a completely different heroic story, but very heart warming. A us womans journey to reunite with her long lost dog will soon have a happy ending thanks to a can of beer. Monica mathis dog hazel vanished from her iowa yard in may 2017. After searching far and wide, monica and her family were convinced they would never see her again. But back injanuary, and halfway across the country in florida, a microbrewery began advertising their beer with pictures of local stray dogs up for adoption. The promotion went viral on facebook and thats where Monica Mathis spotted her dog hazel smiling back at her on the screen. Today, theyre set to be reuinted, after hazel completes a 26 hour road trip to get back home. A little earlier i spoke to hazels owner, Monica Mathis, and Hans Wohlgefahrt from friends of Manatee County animal services, whos on his way from florida to bring hazel back home to minnesota, a drive of over 1,600 miles. I asked monica how shes feeling about the upcoming reunion. It feels like a miracle, literally. It really feels like a miracle, like, its unreal. So when you saw her face on a beer can because it was as part of a campaign to find a new home for dogs who did not have one, what did you think . Um, i was like, i think thats my dog, you know. I was, you know, nervous at first but i was also excited, you know, because i was pretty sure that that was her. Ijust had to find out if that was really her, you know. I had been looking for herfor so long. You know, she had been missing. Um, i was shocked. So she went missing in 2017 from where you were living in iowa. You are now living in minnesota. Do you have any idea how it is that she ended up in florida . No, i really dont, you know. I can only assume she got loose and maybe somebody picked her up and, you know. They had her and they moved down there. I dont know, i really dont know. So lets bring in hans because you are in a hotel room with hazel and youve already been on the road for 20 hours, to minnesota from florida, for this reunion. How do you feel about being a part of this incredible story . I mean, as, you know, i work for a shelter, this is the work i do. And lam, you know, this story is just so amazing. Dede, or hazel, was a long time dog at the shelter. She came in in march 2019. So, you know, she has grown special to us and now we are, you know, going to get her reunited, we are just really happy that i can be part of this process. And you said dede or hazel because when it was not known what her past was, she was being called dede. When you first called her hazel, did she show recognition of that . How did she respond . It is hard to say because she has had a lot of different iterations of her name. We have had dede hazeland. But i think she responds to both of them a little bit now but i think she definitely responds more to hazel. And what about responding to monica . Do you want to talk to hazel, we can bring you together, albeit at a distance, right now. Yeah, that would be great. She is listening. Hazel. Im hoping face to face that she does recognise me and recognise the kids. You have got a big family, you have got eight kids and i think you have had one i think since hazel was not part of the family. How is everyone feeling about having her back . 0h, they are so excited. My kids are asking for her every day. They go to school, is she coming home today, mum . You know, they come home, they asked, if she coming home home today, mum . And how is hazel. It is an unusual thing for her to be on the road all this time. Is she excited . What kind of a dog is she . She, you know, i have described as a tank with a heart of gold. She is very wilful. She is very affectionate. She wants to be close to whoever she can be and be right by their side. For a travel buddy, theres no better dog, actually. You know, she really loves getting to the hotel that night, where we get to lounge about a little bit and relax. It has been quite the road trip. She needs to stop, like, every two hours, you know, for a potty break or even, we call them affection breaks because she just needs affection every two hours, so i take the time out and stop to give her a little love. Oh, my gosh, that is so gorgeous you two can talk to each other. Monica, what do you want to say to hans who is bringing your dog home to you after all this time, on this incredible road trip, hes on the road for 26 hours to reunite you. I am so grateful to hans and the shelter for doing what they are doing for my family and for my dog to come home. I am so grateful to them. And hans, what do you want to say to monica . Monica, its. We are happy to do this. This is why we do the work that we do. We are always trying to reunite pets that have been lost from their owners and even though it was 26 hours, it is a great adventure and i cant wait to bring her to you and for us to finally reunite you. Thank you so much, hans, i really appreciate you so much, you have no idea. Its. I feel like i won the lottery, its the biggest gift in the world. Its like christmas we all love a happy ending. Before we go, zuma wears on Philip Schofield. A few celebrities have taken to twitter to support him after he realised he was gay. Matt lucas wrote . David walliams wrote . And just before we go, next thursday, a reminder we are hosting a live studio eight with the four candidates hoping to lead the labour party. Have you traditionally supported the labour party and you voted differently at the general election . E mail us if you are interested in taking part. Have a lovely weekend. See you soon. Goodbye. Good morning. We may have had some fog this morning, which has been a bit stubborn to clear away from eastern and southern areas of england. Around that, lots of sunshine at the moment across england and wales and up into scotla nd england and wales and up into scotland and we continue with the sunshine this afternoon. It is really Northern Ireland that will see the cloud increasing with outbreaks of rain starting to move their way in. The breeze picks up across North Western areas, a sign of things to come. Maximum temperatures getting up to 5 9 degrees. Through the night, this area of rain will continue to move eastwards, quite patchy but at some point, all of us may well see a bit of rain through the night. Overnight temperatures not as as they were last night, staying up at 7 10 degrees but the wind picks up as we go to saturday and throughout the weekend, we have been focusing on storm ciara. The main impacts will be on sunday with some exceptionally strong wins. Some damaging gusts of wind, travel disruption is likely. Power cuts possible as well. More detail throughout the morning. Goodbye for now. Youre watching bbc newsroom live its 11 am and these are the main stories this morning a British National is confirmed as one of 61 Cruise Ship Passengers who have caught coronavirus. The ship is quarantined offjapan with almost 4,000 people on board. Literally every hour something is changing, the biggest of course being in the 41 additional passengers being bound positive tested for the coronavirus. Its confirmed the chinese doctor who was questioned by police after alerting authorities about the coronavirus has died of the illness. His death sparked anger on social media about freedom of speech. The case of a teenager who threw a young boy off