People now only need to isolate for seven days, rather than 10, as long as they test negative on both day six and day seven of their quarantine period.
ADVERTISEMENT
Lateral flow test supply remains ‘patchy’. Credit: iStock Photo
The public has also been urged to use lateral flow tests before attending events or seeing vulnerable family members.
Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association Of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, told BBC Radio 4‘s Today programme that demand is high, but supply is inconsistent.
ADVERTISEMENT
“What our members are telling us is that demand for the lateral flow tests is very high at the moment due to the current guidelines around self-isolation,” she said.
“Every five minutes, approximately, somebody comes into the pharmacy and asks for tests.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“But unfortunately because of the issues around supply being patchy and inconsistent it means that those who come forward for the test don’t always get it, which is very stressful not just for the pharmacy but also for the patients.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The scale of the problem is huge because the demand is high, because of the current guidelines.
“People are doing the responsible thing by wanting to be tested and we are in the Christmas area of time, and the New Year is just around the corner and people want to be with family and friends.”
She also told Today: “It just simply isn’t enough to meet the demand and it’s patchy.
“Some days you get one box delivered and other days none. It isn’t enough for the pharmacies to deliver to the patients.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We want to make sure that the message is clear to the Government that the supply needs to be consistent.”
People are also able to order lateral flow tests for home delivery through the Government website – but kits are often unavailable.
Many people are repeatedly met with a message that reads: “Sorry, there are no home delivery slots left for rapid lateral flow tests right now.”
Featured image: Gov.uk
News
Police search for man who threw punch at Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match
Daisy Jackson
Police are searching for man who threw his own punch at the AO Arena after Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
The man in question is believed to have vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the match itself came to an end.
He then punched a man sat behind him in the face, before making off on foot.
He left two women and a man he was with behind.
Police are now appealing to witnesses of the assault on Saturday 21 January 2023 to come forward with any information.
#APPEAL | Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
If you know this man (pictured) please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23. pic.twitter.com/vr6zsUI6ri
CCTV images of the suspect have been released by GMP.
They said in a statement: “Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
“It is reported that then man (pictured) vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the boxing match finished, and struck a man sat behind him in the face.
“The offender then made off on foot, leaving two women and a man he was with, behind.
“Officers believe that the suspect is possibly from the Merseyside area. If you know the man or have any information relating to the crime, please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23.
“Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.”
Featured image: GMP
News
Salford police officer sacked for ‘depraved’ relationship with vulnerable woman
Daisy Jackson
A police officer has been sacked after carrying out an ‘improper relationship’ with a crime victim.
Paul Banks, who worked as a PC in Salford, has been dismissed and barred after a Gross Misconduct Hearing on 24 and 25 January 2023.
In the hearing, a panel heard how Banks had advised a vulnerable woman to create an email account – which he then accessed to view images and videos, some of which were explicit, that she had uploaded.
He viewed the content more than 200 times and never reported them to his manager or the force’s Professional Standards Branch.
In the end, his own colleagues sensed that something was amiss and raised the alarm.
GMP has now slammed Banks’s ‘depraved behaviour’ and stressed that ‘there will never be a place in GMP for anybody who behaves like him’.
A statement also said that he ‘abused his position of trust’.
Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Allen, head of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, said: “Banks knew full well that his conduct was egregiously wrong.
“By cultivating an improper relationship with a vulnerable member of the public who he met in the course of his policing duties, the officer has been deservedly sacked from GMP.
“Not only has he disgraced himself, but his depraved behaviour dishonours policing and undermines the principled endeavours of his colleagues, who everyday do a valiant job catching criminals and protecting our communities.
“Indeed, it was Banks’ own colleagues who sensed something was amiss and triggered the first step in a process that rooted him out.
“The prudence of his colleagues is to be commended and I am grateful to the IOPC for conducting an investigation that left no stone unturned.
#SACKED I A police officer has been dismissed and placed on the College of Policing Barred List for carrying out an ‘improper relationship’ with a vulnerable woman. Paul Banks, who worked as a PC in Salford, appeared at a disciplinary hearing. More here – https://t.co/NUQ0aEEa8Opic.twitter.com/LWzTYQpb55
“No decent member of the police service wants to work with the likes of Banks and there will never be a place in GMP for anybody who behaves like him.
“He abused his position of trust and for that the Office of Constable has been rightly stripped from him.
“GMP is a better force without Banks and we will recruit a new officer into his post who will discharge their duties with honour and espouse the professional and compassionate values of the GMP workforce.”
Banks, who had been on restricted since the investigation began in December 2020, was dismissed without notice.
Daisy Jackson -
29th December 2021 
