NHS trust calls in military as it buckles under Covid pressures and staff shortages

It's not just a situation that is being seen in the North and in Suffolk patients have reported waiting over 48 hours for care.

One expert warned that there was already a 'crisis' underway when it comes to bed occupancy.

President of The Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Dr Katherine Henderson said: "The winter presents a significant challenge for the health service.

"Staff are increasingly worried about the NHS’ ability to cope. The government need to recognise the potential crisis and support the health and care service as it tackles the challenges ahead.”

Data from the NHS showed that on Friday, around 91 per cent of hospital beds were occupied in England.

Anything over 85 per cent is considered to be an unsafe level.

VACCINE DRIVE

Vaccines have been hailed as the way out of the pandemic and many vulnerable people are currently receiving booster shots.

When it comes to vaccines in Scotland, 4.2 million people have had a first dose, with 3.8 million also having had a second.

In England 41.3 million people have had a first dose and over 38 million people have had a second dose.

But experts fear that the booster programme, which sees the most vulnerable get a third shot, is moving too slow.

It could spell trouble for hospitalisation and death rates, putting pressure on ministers to impose restrictions yet again.

Duncan Robertson, of Warwick University, says that delays will have to be “resolved immediately” to avoid unnecessary pressures on the NHS.

“Booster vaccinations are there to prevent hospitalisations and ultimately to save lives. Delays matter,” he told .

Azeem Majeed, professor of primary care at Imperial College London, said a lower uptake of third doses was "inevitable", adding: "People were initially told that two doses were enough. They were in lockdown, and the vaccine was their ticket out of it."