Race to tackle backlog of urgent NHS operations

Latest updates and essential advice from The Independent [View in browser]( [Alternate text] Daily briefing February 26, 2021 Today’s essential news from the source you trust This morning’s headlines Hospitals across London are [racing to tackle a backlog of tens of thousands of urgent operations]( that need to be carried out in the coming weeks to prevent patients dying or losing limbs, The Independent has learnt. The slow decline in Covid patient numbers means many hospitals across the capital are warning they will still be relying on extra staff and “surge” beds, opened at the height of the crisis, well into March. NHS bosses have been briefed that across the city there are about 15,000 priority two patients. These are classed as needing urgent surgery, including for cancer, within 28 days or they could die or be at risk of losing a limb. But the lack of available operating theatres, nurses and anaesthetists mean the city has a shortfall of more than 500 half-day surgical lists a week. The chancellor is set to [skip over any announcement on pay rises for NHS staff in his Budget]( next week, it has been reported. Rishi Sunak will reportedly not make any decisions on salaries for health workers until the NHS Pay Review Body’s next report is released in May. Unions representing NHS staff, including nurses, junior doctors, paramedics, cleaners and porters say this means it could take months to make any decision on pay rises for workers. Sara Gordon, head of health at Unison, said the government has had “ample opportunity” to decide on “early and significant” pay rises for burnt-out staff who have been working nonstop during the coronavirus crisis. She said: “Money must be found to deliver it in the Budget on Wednesday. This can’t be allowed to drag on endlessly into the summer. The public expect NHS workers to be recognised and rewarded without delay for the risks they face in keeping the country safe.” The Queen has said her coronavirus vaccination “didn’t hurt at all” and has [urged the public to also take the jab](, saying they should “think about other people rather than themselves”. Speaking during a video call with English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish health leaders on Tuesday, the 94-year-old, who was vaccinated by royal household doctors last month, said the inoculation made her feel “protected”. . We need your support The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider showing your support with a contribution. [Contribute]( . Top stories [Sturgeon: I have no regrets about Salmond investigation]( [Biden speaks with Saudi king as intelligence officials to release Khashoggi report]( [Video shows moment two men leapt from car and shot Lady Gaga’s dog-walker]( . Sign up for our free weekly climate email Subscribe to the Independent Climate Newsletter for exclusive news and features from our specialist reporters across the world. Signing up takes just one click. [Sign up for free]( . Stories chosen for you - [ERG Tories want Boris Johnson to scrap the protocol – your daily politics briefing]( - [China denies making US diplomats take anal swab tests for Covid]( - [Boris Johnson is an ‘unrepentant and inveterate liar’, says former French ambassador]( - [Why the hardline Tory Brexiteers won’t get their way on Northern Ireland]( - [Conservative gathering to feature Trump's false fraud claims]( . News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating [NewsGuard] [Find out more]( . If you can spare two minutes we’d love to hear your [feedback]( on our newsletters [Alternate text] Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News email and Breaking News alerts, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.