London hospital staff speak out: ‘We’re not here to judge, but please get your Covid vaccines’

Health workers at King's College hospital fear a surge in admissions as the Omicron wave gathers force, but are cautiously optimistic

On the third floor of one of the country's biggest hospital trusts, a team of intensive care specialists in masks and visors huddle around a screened bay where a critically ill patient lies unconscious surrounded by cables and tubes.

The elderly man's breathing is supported by a ventilator and he is connected to an arterial line to measure blood pressure. He is fed by a gastric tube, and a nearby stack of six monitors provide updates on his condition, from oxygen levels to heart rate.