High time you healed NHS, Boris

THE reason for the first lockdown was to stop the NHS being overwhelmed. It is also why we are confined to our homes for a second time.

Yet because of Boris Johnson’s mishandling of this pandemic the NHS is at breaking point.

Had the PM been more competent throughout, 30,000 cancer patients would not have missed out on what may be life-saving treatment. Had he planned efficiently, GPs would be better able to cope with rolling out the vaccine – which itself may prove a life-saver.

And had his organisational skills been up to speed, health workers would not still be missing out on vital PPE when there should be plenty to go around.

Mistakes that might be forgiven in the early days of this disease when we knew little of the virus attacking us are inexcusable now. But Boris Johnson never seems to learn from them.

It is now widely accepted that the first lockdown came at least a week too late. The second one came two weeks too late.

PPE was in short supply at the beginning. There should be no shortage eight months on.

It is a disgrace that family doctors should be put under so much pressure to deliver a vaccine night and day when proper preparation and adequate funding could have taken much of that pressure off.

Our doctors and nurses are only human. If they collapse under the strain the NHS will go down with them.

We ask much of our healthcare heroes and they have delivered more than anyone thought possible. It should not be too much to ask of our Prime Minister that he delivers for them.