UK Government Announces £60,000 Payment To Families Of NHS Staff Dead From Coronavirus

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced a life assurance scheme that will see the families of NHS staff who have died fighting the coronavirus given a £60,000 payment.

Hancock confirmed that 82 NHS staff and 16 social care workers have died as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic so far.

He said: "They have dedicated their lives to caring for others, and I have a deep personal sense of duty that we must care for their loved ones.

"Nothing replaces the loss of a loved one, but we want to do everything we can for their grieving families."

Hancock also said during the briefing that the UK had seen 4,310 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, and that 360 people had died in hospital.

There are currently 15,015 people in hospital with Covid-19.

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Hancock went on to say that once the admissions to hospital as a result of the coronavirus start to come down, other NHS services will start to resume, including cancer care services. That process will begin tomorrow (28 April).

However, he echoed the sentiments of Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his statement this morning by saying that the pace at which restrictions are loosened will be determined by data, and as the circumstances dictate.

He continued: "Starting tomorrow, we'll begin the restoration of other NHS services starting with the most urgent like cancer care and mental health support.

"The exact pace of the restoration will be determined by local circumstances on the ground."

PA

He added: "As we come through this peak, we must honour those we have lost, and it will count for nothing if we let things slip now and risk a second peak."

NHS England Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty also reiterated the five tests that must be met in order for the lockdown restrictions to be slackened.

The lockdown will be up for review in 10 days. Those tests include a 'consistent and sustained' fall in deaths, and bringing the infection rate down to a 'manageable' level.

The NHS must also be protected and continue to have the capacity to deal with the critical care demands that it is placed under as a result of the virus, and patients affected by it.

Also, the government must be convinced that changes to the lockdown restrictions would not bring about a second peak, which some experts have suggested could be even worse than the first.

Topics: uk news

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekends he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

@TPWagwim