Our Man in Westminster

As I write this it is still unclear whether we will be seeing the end of all restrictions later this month, or whether some or all of the current restrictions will remain.

The data is pointing in different directions, in that the latest variant does look more transmissible than previous ones, but the vaccination programme is having a great effect in keeping people out of hospital (and out of danger) if they do catch it.

Either way, things look so much better than they did a few months ago. Of the most vulnerable groups in Kent, 95% have been fully vaccinated. Even extending this to all over-50s and the vulnerable young, this figure is still 91%. It bears repeating that everyone involved in the vaccination effort deserves huge congratulations. Inevitably we now move on to the next issue, which is how fast can the NHS, both GPs and hospitals, start working on the backlog of problems that have inevitably built up? Remember that this will mean activity levels at more than 100% of what was being achieved in those long-ago days of 2019.

Already this is happening in some areas. Across the

Kent hospitals activity in May in accident and emergency departments was at 115% of the 19/20 levels. Maintaining this is necessary but is going to be hugely difficult, not least because the staff involved need and deserve some holiday time over the summer. It also of course means wards not being filled with Covid patients.

This is now the case in Kent. The last figures I saw said that only three patients were in hospital with Covid, and only one in critical care. This should act as a reminder not only of the progress we have made, but the need to keep it up. We need to enjoy the recovery of our freedoms sensibly.