Newspaper headlines: NHS crisis '500 deaths a week' and PM's 'headache'
- Published
The pressures facing the NHS make most of the front pages.
The Times focuses on its radio interview with the president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine - who said that delays in A&E were causing the deaths of up to 500 patients every week, external.
The paper says Dr Adrian Boyle's warning will "magnify concerns" about the state of the health service.
The Daily Express quotes him as saying that December's ambulance waiting times were "likely to be the worst ever", external.
The Daily Mirror has described the situation as an "emergency care meltdown", external.
The i newspaper reports on a poll which says that almost three quarters of Conservative voters think the party has failed in running the health service over the past decade, external.
The senior Tory MP, Steve Brine, has told the paper that solving Covid backlogs has to be a "national mission" for the government.
It says Rishi Sunak will announce his plans to boost the NHS within weeks.
The Daily Mail says the prime minister is facing a triple new year headache - with NHS pressures, the increase in migrant crossings, and the possibility of more rail strikes, external.
The Guardian leads on a warning from leading health figures that there could be "prolonged" walkouts by NHS staff in England, external - if workers only get a 2% pay rise next year.
The head of the NHS Confederation has told the paper the government must be willing to negotiate, and both sides should be prepared to compromise.
The Department of Health said it was committed to increasing workers' pay, and it would consider the recommendations from the independent pay review bodies.
The prime minister is considering putting anti-strike laws before MPs for a vote as soon as this month, external, according to the Times.
It could involve ensuring there are minimum staffing levels, as industrial action across several sectors continues.
That story is also in the i - which says ministers are taking their time to ensure the plans are watertight before bringing them forward.
Elsewhere, the Daily Telegraph claims Rishi Sunak has abandoned plans to overhaul the childcare system in England, external.
His predecessor, Liz Truss, had been looking at increasing free childcare support by 20 hours a week.
The paper says that has now been postponed indefinitely, and reforms will be on a much smaller scale.
The Sun focuses on Prince Harry's new book - Spare - which will be released next week.
The paper claims the royal will reveal more than he did in his Netflix series, external, shedding light on the breakdown of his relationship with his brother, Prince William.
The paper's headline reads: "Gloves are off".
And the Mirror carries an interview with Ben Fogle about his visit to see friends in Ukraine.
The adventurer told the paper it was harder than climbing Mount Everest, external, and was one of the most profound trips he'd ever been on.
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