Podcasts about covid inquiry

The backers of the second official inquiry into the Covid response say it's crucial for preparing us for the next pandemic - but the media mostly zeroed in on whether big-name politicians would show up. Also: TVNZ checking itself for bias, a fresh flurry of media French-ification; and do we need to brace for more ‘fiscal hole' fury in Election 2026? Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:1:22 The backers of the second Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response said it was crucial to learning lessons for the future, as well as allowing people to have a say. But the media mostly zeroed in on whether big-name politicians would show up at hearings that are still six weeks away.17:03 Remember in the campaign for the last election - and the one before that - how the big political parties made big claims in the media about billion dollar-deep holes in each others' policies? We might have to brace for more in 2026.32:50 TVNZ says it's planning to check itself for bias. But why - and why now?37:21 A fresh flurry of French-ification in our media inspired by Les Bleus on tour.Learn more:https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/mediawatch/566737/mediawatch-pandemic-probe-media-focus-flipped-to-politiciansGuests: Dan Brunskill, economics reporter for Interest.co.nzIf you have any thoughts for us - or ideas for us to follow up - get in touch. E-mail mediawatch@rnz.co.nz. You'll also find us @MediawatchNZ on X.Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcastsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

An immunologist giving evidence at the inquiry into the government's Covid-19 response, has been questioned on claims the debate around mRNA vaccines was shut down during the pandemic. Reporter Lucy Xia has more.

Māori, Pasifika and Asian community leaders have told the royal commission of inquiry into the Covid-19 response how hard it was to adapt to lockdown rules. Victor Waters reports.

Public hearings for the second phase of the Covid-19 inquiry got under way this week, and there's been speculation if Jacinda Ardern will make an appearance. Ardern says she will provide evidence to assist the Royal Commission of Inquiry, if asked to. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says key decision makers and senior public servants are set to speak next month. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour leader and former Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins thinks phase two of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response is a platform for conspiracy theorists, and he is non-committal about turning-up to give evidence. The most committed I've heard him so far is saying that he's working on some written responses. But if that turns out to be the extent of his involvement, then he can forget about being prime minister again. Because let me remind you of a couple of things. While it was the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who, generally, fronted the Government's Covid response. It was Hipkins —as Covid Minister— who drove it behind the scenes. Secondly, if it was good enough for former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to front up in person to the UK's Covid inquiry, then it is more than good enough for Chris Hipkins to front up in person to our inquiry. In December 2023, Boris Johnson spent two days being grilled by the committee of MPs, which had the job of looking into how his government handled the pandemic. This is the guy who told people they had to isolate at home and then had parties at 10 Downing Street. This is the guy who disappeared to his country house when Covid was running rampant. This is the guy who, somehow, lost 5,000 WhatsApp messages from his phone, which couldn't be used as evidence at the inquiry. This is the same guy who told the UK inquiry that he was the victim of not being properly informed about the seriousness of Covid. Boris Johnson is the guy who is widely considered to have cocked-up the response in Britain but who, despite all that, fronted-up to take questions and take the heat over two days. And it wasn't pleasant for him. He was grilled. But say what you like about Boris Johnson, at least he fronted up. From what I've seen, at no point did Boris Johnson dismiss the inquiry in Britain as a platform for conspiracy theorists. At no point did Boris Johnson bang-on about the Covid inquiry in Britain creating an opportunity for theatrics from conspiracy theorists. And, at no point, did Boris Johnson hide behind written responses and weasel words. But that is exactly what Chris Hipkins is doing. He says he wants to be “cooperative” but “I don't want to see a whole lot of theatrics. I'm very interested in engaging with them on how we can capture the lessons”. To be fair, Hipkins probably does have a point about the time period covered by phase two of the inquiry and how it, conveniently, leaves out the time NZ First was in coalition with Labour, but he needs to get over that. Just like he needs to get over the fact that, yes, there will be no shortage of conspiracy theorists turning up at the inquiry. But so what? It's a free world. And we can decide for ourselves how much credence we want to give them. But Chris Hipkins shouldn't be free to decide for himself whether he fronts up in person at the Covid inquiry, or not. He was Covid Minister and he has to front. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Wednesday on Newstalk ZB) So... Totally Pointless/Gambling; Definitely a Problem and Still Unsolved/Zombie Moa ApocalypseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins is doubling down on saying the Covid Response Inquiry's terms seems to provide a platform for conspiracy views. The Labour leader also said the second phase —that began this week— excludes looking at any decisions made when NZ First was in Government. Hipkins told John MacDonald opinions from the likes of Brian Tamaki and Liz Gunn deserve to be heard but shouldn't overshadow submission on other experiences. He says if the Government's genuine in wanting all voices heard, it's important for it not to be dominated by a few people. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Wednesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) This Is Never Going Away/How To Write a Bestseller/Just Declare Your Bias/Robot Apocalypse Collaborators/Is That a Peanut Butter Knife In Your Pocket Or?...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins won't commit to appearing before the second phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand's Covid response. The Labour leader earlier said the terms of reference for the second stage - which is currently underway - provide a platform for conspiracies. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says Hipkins has some good points - but the Government at the time did make decisions that intruded on people's rights. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's claims comments by Chris Hipkins on the Covid inquiry are 'unhelpful' and 'divisive'. The Labour leader said the terms of reference for the second phase - currently underway - provide a platform for conspiratorial views. He pointed out they exclude decisions made when New Zealand First was in Government . But Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, told Ryan Bridge the terms were expanded so people felt listened to. "They wanted the inquiry to be fulsome and to find the truth so that when we have another pandemic, we have less division and we have a better response." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins was on with Kerre Woodham yesterday, as well as with Ryan Bridge on Herald NOW, and he talked about the Covid inquiry – insinuating it was slanted against Labour because New Zealand First is now part of a National government and had drawn up the scope of the inquiry to benefit them. It also came out that he has drafted written responses to the questions the Commission might ask of him, but he is non-committal about fronting up for a verbal grilling – a good cross examination. Now also on the table is Jacinda Arden, who doesn't look like showing despite the wish of many for her to be held to account. But the thing about this Commission is that it is not a trial, it's an inquiry. It's a show trial, really. It's a political thing and Chris Hipkins is still in the political game, unlike Jacinda Ardern. So he needs to handle this thing well. He was the Minister of Health during the pandemic. In fact, he was the Minister of just about everything, because he was the most competent in his party. So if he wants to be the leader of this party going into the next election, he really must turn up and face that cross examination of what he was part of. But we know what he did – it's already there and black and white. But what we don't know is the thought processes that drove his actions, and we haven't had the chance to question him. And what we don't know is his thoughts, with hindsight, as to what he might have done better. So if he's honest about learning lessons about pandemic management because there's gonna be another pandemic in the future, then he really must turn up and face the heat. It'll be good for him. It'll be good for us. If he doesn't, the conspiracy theorists that he mentioned yesterday will bring all their bias to bear against him next election. Chris Hipkins has choices: face up and tell the truth, stand apart and let speculation by what he calls “conspiracy theorists” run wild, or just quit. Quit his aspiration to become Prime Minister one more time and enjoy a retirement from public life. It's in your court, Chris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Tuesday on Newstalk ZB) Everything, Apparently/That's All Crime Solved Then/The Ole Stadium Conversation/Is Uber Still a Thing?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The evidential hearings for Module 6 of the UK Covid Inquiry began on June 30th 2025. This week, Nicola Brook and Lorelei King were joined by Professor Vic Rayner OBE, CEO of the National Care Forum. Together, they discussed everything that happened during the first week of hearings, including evidence from witnesses. If you've lost a loved one to Covid-19, it isn't too late to be part of the Covid Inquiry. For more information on how to instruct legal representation, visit our website here: https://www.jacksonlees.co.uk/BroudieJacksonCanter/services/covid-inquiry

On the Matt Heath and Tyler Adams Afternoons Full Show Podcast for the 8th of July - an explosive question to start the afternoon - should Dame Jacinda Ardern be forced to attend the Covid Inquiry? Then to the Mushroom Lady trial and Matt's theory on the motive. And finally, the Cardrona pub is breaking the internet as people check out the Trade Me listing for its sale. Our Afternoon duo spoke with Co-owner Cade Thornton. Get the Matt Heath and Tyler Adams Afternoons Podcast every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should Jacinda Ardern return to the country and face the Covid inquiry music? The answer, I think, must be yes. I confirmed this morning on my Herald NOW show that the Royal Commission has reached out to Jacinda and asked her to attend in August. The KC running the show would not answer whether she'd replied or whether she'd lawyered up, but he did say that the only way to get out of attending is if you're not the in the country because they don't have jurisdiction. So the question is: as a former Prime Minister who wielded more power than Muldoon - war-time executive powers - as somebody who's always claimed their intentions were good, and as somebody who's claimed they were in politics for the children, will the former PM front this inquiry and be honest? Honest about what really went on behind closed doors and behind those PPE masks? Boris Johnson appeared at his country's inquiry, and twiddled his fingers and answered all that was put before him. Isn't there a moral obligation to the people of New Zealand, too? They still live with the consequences of decisions that she and her Cabinet made. She's making money off books and all sorts while many businesses here never recovered from lockdowns. Isn't a little truth-telling in order? I was one of just a handful of interviewers who grilled her on a weekly basis during this time period. I'm saving the best bits for a book one day, but there was image and stage control happening behind the scenes you wouldn't believe. The problem for Jacinda if she decides not to front is this - and it's a question Kiwis will be asking themselves - what has she got to hide? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second phase of the Covid-19 inquiry has begun, with many voices from business, tourism, and events venting frustration over the response. The Royal Commission of Inquiry will run until Thursday - and many are wondering if former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be called up to weigh in. Sir Ian Taylor says it would be 'wonderful' if Ardern found a way to give some answers. "It would perhaps reinforce the concept that everything she did was to be kind, to be part of the team of five million - and this is the time for the team of five million to come together to figure out how we deal to this better next time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Tuesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Or Just Oldies?/Can't Keep a Bad Kid Down/The Great Adern Return/Stop Having Kids/Better Work StoriesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Monday on Newstalk ZB) Right Idea. Poorly Executed/Facing the Music/Man, We Hate Banks/When There's No Alternative Transport/Dissing ZoosSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Question: should Jacinda Ardern come home and appear before the Royal Commission into our Covid response? I think she should. I could understand though if she doesn't. Because just as she became the symbol of our successful response to the pandemic, which we rewarded with a supermajority in Labour's second term, she also then became the symbol of everything that we did wrong. And there's a significant number of people who have been weaponised against the former Prime Minister because of the things they resent, and they want a holding to account. They want a Nuremberg trial, as you heard from my texts, you know, they want fines, they want jail. But they won't get that, even if she did come back. This is an inquiry about Covid to understand everything they got wrong as well as everything they got right. Now, I'm sure Jacinda Ardern, even if her conscience is completely clear, she would be worried about the consequences of coming home and being at the front of this investigation for her family, for her personal safety, for her own mental health. And the feeling is that she won't – you can read between the lines in the recent Women's Weekly interview that home is not on the radar. But remember, she will not escape the inquiry. No one will. There are enough people being called to give us the full and frank dissection of everything that happened at the beginning of this decade, and that is important because there will be another pandemic one day. So let's get into it with or without former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think I'm encouraged by the numbers of submissions into the Covid inquiry. This is Covid inquiry part two. The second part is to try and rectify the stitch up that was Covid part one from the previous Government, who were determined to set criteria that would not expose the true damage they wrought upon most of us. 31,000 have had their say this time. It is pointed out they came from all ages, all locations and were both positive as well as negative. Given Health NZ submitted on whether Wanaka should have a McDonalds, do not underestimate the establishment's ability to spend an indecent amount of time and money in putting a best-case scenario forward in a butt-covering exercise. This part of the inquiry looks into masks and mandates, vaccines and lockdowns, and 31,000 submissions tells me we are still very much exercised about the historic nature of the event and our keenness to try and come up with something that sees nothing like a repeat of the last exercise. I note the other day poor, old Chris Hipkins still tries to walk that very fine line between admitting they were in charge of a balls up and pretending it went mostly well. He is in an unwinnable place. As the last sap left standing, given Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson are long gone, he has the sorry task of defending what really were some astonishingly poor decisions. But that doesn't mean the inquiry will come up with answers. Answers such as will a pandemic be the same, or similar, or not similar at all? What sort of Government will be in? Will that Government be competent or experienced? What roll will the public service play? Will epidemiologists become household names again? Will New Zealanders sink into a myopic funk again waiting for a leader to tell them what sort of stuffed animal to put in the window? What made last time so bad was the control, and out of the control, followed the anger and fear. I'm not sure an inquiry can dictate answers or solutions around emotion. But 31,000 submissions tells you the emotion is still very, very real. At least in putting the second part of the inquiry on, we attempt to recognise how profound those dark and troubled days really were. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Educated in India and Canada, Ramesh Thakur has had an amazing career as an academic, lawyer and government adviser. He has taught in universities in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore. He offers broad commentary on judicial “adventurism" and growing tyranny, India, Pakistan, China, the U.N. and W.H.O.. His advice on global affairs would unquestionably aid the NZ Government in some of their misguided ideas. We share a medical professional's submission to the second Covid Inquiry, and we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:To subscribe via iTunes click here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Wednesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) It's a Wonderful Place/Mark the MPs/Deliberately Mispronounciating/Return of the Inquiry/Not Livable Enough for MeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Submissions have closed and more than 31,000 groups and individuals have had their say in phase two of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19. The Inquiry's Chair Grant Illingworth KC spoke to Corin Dann.

The evidential hearings for Module 5 of the UK Covid Inquiry began on March 3rd 2025. This week, Nicola Brook was joined by Lobby Akinnola on behalf of CBFFJ UK and Enda McGarrity from PA Duffy Solicitors. Together, they discussed everything that happened during the fourth and final week of hearings, including evidence from witnesses. If you've lost a loved one to Covid-19, it isn't too late to be part of the Covid Inquiry. For more information on how to instruct legal representation, visit our website here: https://jacksonlees.co.uk/BroudieJacksonCanter/services/covid-inquiry

The evidential hearings for Module 5 of the UK Covid Inquiry began on March 3rd 2025. This week, Nicola Brook was joined by Jean Adamson on behalf of CBFFJ UK and Peter Munro from Transparency International. Together, they discussed everything that happened during the third week of hearings, including evidence from witnesses. If you've lost a loved one to Covid-19, it isn't too late to be part of the Covid Inquiry. For more information on how to instruct legal representation, visit our website here: https://jacksonlees.co.uk/BroudieJacksonCanter/services/covid-inquiry

Did AstraZeneca's jab kill a healthy 32-year-old?We hear from the family of Dr Stephen Wright, a young clinical psychologist who lost his life in January 2021 soon after receiving his vaccination. For the past four years, his family has been searching for answers. Could there be a link between the two?As the vaccine module of the Covid Inquiry gets underway, The Telegraph's Investigations team explores the link between the AstraZeneca jab and a potentially deadly reaction.In a new three-part series, the reporters look into those deaths and how the government responded. Could further deaths have been avoided?Written by: Claire NewellProducer: Jack BoswellExecutive Producer: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Caroline Pover, author of "Worth a Shot?: Secrets of the Clinical Trial Participant Who Inspired a Global Movement―Brianne Dressen's Story."

Exploring Vaccine Injuries and Their Implications: Caroline Pover is an award-winning author and public speaker based in the UK. She discusses the highly relevant and timely topic of vaccine injuries, focusing on Caroline's personal experiences and the story of Breanne Dressen, a clinical trial participant who has suffered significant adverse reactions after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Caroline shares insights from her new book, "Worth a Shot?," which chronicles Dressen's journey and the hidden challenges faced by those experiencing vaccine side effects. They delve into the complexities of vaccine injury reporting, the implications of vaccine mandates, and how social media censorship affects the vaccine-injured community. The discussion also touches on potential lifestyle and medical approaches for managing vaccine injuries, emphasizing a compassionate and comprehensive perspective on the issue.

Did AstraZeneca's jab kill a healthy 32-year-old?We hear from the family of Dr Stephen Wright, a young clinical psychologist who lost his life in January 2021 soon after receiving his vaccination. For the past four years, his family has been searching for answers. Could there be a link between the two?As the vaccine module of the Covid Inquiry gets underway, The Telegraph's Investigations team explores the link between the AstraZeneca jab and a potentially deadly reaction.In a new three-part series, the reporters look into those deaths and how the government responded. Could further deaths have been avoided?Listen to 'The Lockdown Files: The Forgotten Victims' here: https://shows.acast.com/the-lockdown-files/episodes/658012408705c80017684d3aWritten by: Claire NewellProducer: Jack BoswellExecutive Producer: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Inquiry into the Covid-19 report has been released, urging the government to get a plan in place for future pandemics. Associate Professor at the University of Auckland Dr Siouxsie Wiles spoke to Alexa Cook.

A business think tank is critical of the first part of New Zealand's Covid-19 review, believing it's not comprehensive enough. Phase 1 of the pandemic response report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry brings 39 recommendations. They include planning for quarantine measures, allowing movement of public sector capability during a pandemic, and assigning a minister to lead implementation. New Zealand Initiative Senior Fellow, Murray Horn told Mike Hosking the report misses some areas. He says it doesn't explore whether damage to the economy and people's faith in government was more serious than needed. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am glad the Covid report has been released. Why wouldn't it be? It's ours, we lived it and are living through it. It says a lot of stuff you thought it would say; compulsory mandates were one of the most controversial measures. No kidding. The country was not prepared for border closures or MIQ. Really? They run the line that we had fewer infections and therefore fewer deaths than other countries. I note Chris Hipkins yesterday was still rejecting the idea that vaccine mandates were a mistake. And in that is the problem. Incompetent Governments lead to incompetent responses. Arrogance leads to an inability to do things differently, which is I think in part, the point of the report, to give us a blueprint for next time. The blueprint says mandates were a mistake. Hipkins, who could be Prime Minister as soon as 2026, seems to think he is more right than the inquiry. So are we any further ahead? You need to also factor in that phase one, despite what Tony Blakely told us yesterday, is not the full picture. It's a comprehensive picture within the guidelines he was given. The guidelines he wasn't given are why we are having phase two. I still argue it would have been better if we had taken the British route, the adversarial approach. Put Ardern and Hipkins and Bloomfield on the stand and ask some penetrating questions. It doesn't have to be a court to illicit material this report hasn't found. The really important part for me is not what we did then, but what the outworking of what we did then produced what we have now. What we are still living through and why, because what we have now is so badly damaged. We must learn not to do what we did last time. The kids not at school, the behaviour of so many that has been out of control, the moral fatigue, the social decline and the malaise. That is not measured totally in statistics. But the overarching feeling is this country is a shadow of what it once was. That's the real story of Covid. But I still maintain that you can write all the reports you want and inquire until you are blue in the face, but a pandemic is luck. If the Government that's in on the day the pandemic arrives is good, you will be OK. If it's Labour 2017-23, well, you don't need the report. Just look at us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. The war: 6/10 A ceasefire is reason for hope and not a lot of that has been floating about the place recently. The UK election petition: 4/10 Small clue, they already had one of those. It's called an election. Capital Gains Tax: 6/10 The debate and the vote this weekend. If Labour wants to enhance their chances of two, if not three, terms in Opposition, yes is the way to vote. The Covid Inquiry: 4/10 Because the coverage of what I would argue is as big a deal as anything this year, was scant to say the least. The coalition's first year: 7/10 Some good progress, some good co-operation and not a lot of fall out. But it's lacking the real bite that is needed to turn this shambles around. They must try harder. TJ Perenara: 4/10 We didn't talk about the game or the tour and that is why it's a problem. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Friday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Someone Must Have Voted for Them/Mark the Week/Growing Your Own/Alleged StarjumpsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of the Covid-19 Royal Commission of Inquiry has criticised the use of lockdowns and vaccine mandates suggesting they were too broad and too harsh. Epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely spoke to Alexa Cook.

The outgoing head of the Covid inquiry has found vaccine mandates caused huge pain to a "substantial minority” during the pandemic. Tony Blakely says the Government should look at whether their benefits outweighed the harm they caused. Blakely will deliver the report from the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry to Internal Affairs Minister Brook van Velden today, but the Government may not release it until next year. He says New Zealand did well, although mistakes were made. Blakely describes the response as a game of two halves, with New Zealand doing well in the first year, and less so after that – which isn't surprising given the length of the pandemic. He says there's still work to be done after their comprehensive investigations. Blakely told Mike Hosking they've done about 80% of the work, with incoming Chair Grant Illingworth's team coming in to do the next 20%. He says they may uncover new findings on topics they look at more in depth, such as mandates and vaccine harm. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 28th of November, we get reaction from the Reserve Bank and Steven Joyce after our last OCR cut of the year. Phase 1 of the Covid inquiry is complete, and inquiry chair Professor Tony Blakely has some surprising comments about vaccine mandates and lockdowns. Mike couldn't believe Mitch James was quitting music, so had to get a friend of the show on for one last time as a musician. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The November news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, guest starring new chair Irma Donaldson.Irma talks about what motivates her and her journey to being the chair.She describes her vision for the profession and also some of the big challenges it faces.Derek gives an update on key things which are happening right now including:- Covid Inquiry in Scotland- Mental Health Bill in England- Northern Ireland RCSLT member event attended by two ministers- Curriculum reviewVicky called for examples of ways to reduce waiting lists for children and young people's services. If you have examples for ways to reduce waiting lists for children and young people's services, or improve the waiting experience, please get in touch with Izzy Pompova (izzy.pompova@rcslt.org) or submit directly here: forms.office.com/pages/responsepa…u&route=shorturlResources:The “snowy white peaks” of the NHS: a survey of discrimination in governance and leadership and the potential impact on patient care in London and England.R. Kline, 2014 www.mdx.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_…of-the-NHS.pdf.pdf Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3RThis interview was conducted by Vicky Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT. It was produced and edited by freelance producer, Jacques Strauss.

The latest part of the Covid inquiry, which looks at the impact of the pandemic on the NHS, has heard powerful evidence from disabled people and their relatives for the first time. BBC Health Reporter Jim Reed — who presents The Covid Inquiry Podcast — shares some of the most poignant testimony that has been shared so far. Emma Tracey also hears from Rachael Andrews, who is partially sighted and has fibromyalgia, and Lisa Burke, whose son Seth has Duchenne muscular dystrophy about how their lives have been severely impacted by the pandemic. We also hear from roving reporter Ben Morris who has been to Belgium to learn more about some clever AI solutions for wheelchair users. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Audio recording and mixing: Dave O'Neill Editor: Beth Rose

Ep 335 - AMERICA Gets LIBERTY, AUSTRALIA Gets CENSORSHIP - The Week That Was Support our show:  join The Exclusive Side at OtherSideTV.com.au  AND go to https://piavpn.com/OTHERSIDE to get 83% off Private Internet Access with 4 months free! – The Misinformation Law rears its ugly head in our federal parliament again this week for debate. Why would ANY government - Left or Right - want to destroy themselves trying to introduce such an immoral and dangerous piece of legislation?–  America on the road to restoration: the left are now out of power in the Whitehouse, the House of Representatives and the Senate.  And Donald Trump has won the popular vote for the presidency by a margin of 5 million– And Professor Gigi Foster joins Damian to discuss that awful Covid Inquiry report and what we should REALLY do next. Ep 335 of The Other Side for the weekend commencing Friday November 8, 2024.Watch all our shows on YouTube for FREE! Here: https://www.youtube.com/@OtherSideAusSupport the showThe Other Side is a weekly news/commentary show on YouTube @OtherSideAus and available to watch FREE here: https://www.youtube.com/@OtherSideAusJoin The EXCLUSIVE Side at www.OtherSideTV.com.au Follow us on X @OtherSideAUS Subscribe NOW on YouTube @OtherSideAUS

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. Wellington: 7/10 As in the NPC team. A brilliant final, overtime and high drama. It's good for rugby. The haka: 6/10 I know Joe Marler is a boofhead, but doesn't he make a not unreasonable point? By the time we show up, sing the national anthem twice and then the haka, that's a lot of indulgence asked for, isn't it? Anthony Albanese: 2/10 "Hi Alan, can you stick us in first class?" What could possibly go wrong? Ginny Andersen: 3/10 "Hahahaha look at that, I'll share that." What could possibly go wrong? Australia and their Covid report: 7/10 Obviously a lot more efficient than us, but what theirs says ours will say. Sadly for both, the trust is gone, and lessons will never be learnt. But good to see some honesty at last. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An examination of the State's response to the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to begin its work in the coming weeks, after the cabinet signed off on its terms of reference. INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha addresses this with Drivetime.

If this Government wants a money saving idea then they should cancel the two Covid inquires and simply adopt Australia's. Australia's review released this week is damning, as indeed will ours be. Ours will be pretty much the same as Australia's because, within a margin, we did pretty much the same thing. If there was any irony, it's that they had “versions” of theirs, and in that is a major lesson. Even with versions, it is broadly accepted none of them turned out to be much chop. If we were a state of Australia we would have come in at the tighter, or more restrictive, end of the Australian version. Places like Victoria were very much like us because they were run by two very similar people: Dan Andrews and Jacinda Ardern. They were hard-left control freaks. Western Australia was an outlier in the sense they had a lot of rules but not many of them applied inside the state. In other words, they locked themselves off, but because they were self-reliant, they got on with life. New South Wales, run by conservatives, had the most lenient response. But this is the biggest out-take - no matter what the response, faith and trust has been lost. The rallying cry post-Covid has been to learn the lessons, so we are ready for next time. Are we ready for next time? No. Will we ever be? No. Will it be worse? Yes. Why? Because, as the report suggests, the big lesson we have learned is that the people who run us aren't up to much, and they did a lot of things we would never go along with again. Which does of course present a very real issue because it's entirely possible there will be a next time. These reports are also predicated on the idea that those who ran it all learn their lessons. Will they? Of course not. The public service is full of Ashley Bloomfields, and Jacinda Arderns, and Dan Andrews and Gladys Berejiklians, and if it's them or their ilk running things, next time will look exactly like this time. Except, and this is where the carnage will ensue, we won't be along for the ride. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia correspondent Annika Smethurst looks at why Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's free - but declared - upgrades on Qantas flights when he was Transport Minister is attracting so much scrutiny. 

If you remember the #butnotmaternity campaign during the Covid-19 pandemic you'll recall that women were sometimes left to give birth without their partners. Those restrictions for maternity care were left in place far too long affecting the mental health of mothers and staff. That's according to evidence given to the Covid-19 inquiry which this week is looking at the subject in detail. The inquiry has been listening to the impact on women from 13 pregnancy, baby and parent organisations. We hear from our correspondent who has been following it, Jim Reid, and from Jenny Ward, the CEO of the Lullaby Trust, who gave evidence on behalf of all the organisations. And we talk to Daisie Lane who tells us of her own experience and her book chronicling 150 other women's experiences.Bestselling author Sophie Kinsella, known for the hugely popular Shopaholic series and many other bestsellers, has sold over 45 million books which have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her latest novel, What Does It Feel Like?, is her most autobiographical yet. It tells the story of a novelist who wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there and learns she's had surgery to remove a large tumour growing in her brain. She must re-learn how to walk, talk, and write again. Six months ago, Sophie shared with her readers on social media that in 2022, she had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of aggressive brain cancer. It's known for its poor prognosis with only 25% of people surviving more than one year, and only 5% survive more than five years.A murder investigation has been launched after the body of a 22-year-old woman was found in south Belfast. Mary Ward is the fourth woman to be murdered in the space of six weeks in Northern Ireland. The Police Service of Northern Ireland - or PSNI - have referred the case to the office of the Police Ombudsman. Earlier this year, the PSNI released figures showing that in the five years between 2019 and 2024, 30 women and girls across Northern Ireland were killed by men. To put that into context, the population of Northern Ireland is around 1.9 million. We hear from Alison Morris - the Crime Reporter for the Belfast Telegraph.Woman's Hour is joined by the winner of the BBC Green Sport Award, the rower Imogen Grant. Campaigning for cleaner rivers, being vegan and buying fewer clothes are all things Imogen does to protect the environment. She also talks about winning gold at Paris 2024.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Kirsty Starkey

It's possible the government “overdid it” at the start of the pandemic, said Sir Chris Whitty today.Camilla and Tim are reentering the lockdown debate, after the former chief medical officer told the Covid Inquiry the government may have overstated the dangers of Covid in its early days. Have lockdown sceptics been vindicated?And — why has Camilla been unceremoniously dumped from her role interviewing Tory leadership candidates at their party conference next week?Plus, if your hackles are raised by terms like “taking the elevator”, “onboarding”, and other Americanisms that have crept into our language, you're not alone. The Telegraph's resident wordsmith Simon Heffer is in the studio to explain why proper good British English is so important.Read: Americanisms are poisoning our languageWe want to hear from you! Email us at TheDailyT@telegraph.co.uk or find us on X, Instagram and TikTok @dailytpodcastProducer: Georgia Coan and Lilian FawcettPlanning Editor: Venetia RaineyExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsStudio Operator: Meghan SearleVideo Editor: Luke GoodsallSocial Media Producer: Niamh WalshEditor: Camilla TomineyOriginal music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It heard there were not enough staff and hospital infrastructure was unfit for purpose

Today we look at the first report released by the Covid Inquiry.Focusing on pandemic preparations, it said the governments of the UK and devolved nations had ‘failed its citizens' by planning for the wrong pandemic. The report lays out the failures, including ‘groupthink' mentality and ‘labyrinthine' systems. Adam is joined by health reporter Jim Reed and Catherine Haddon from the Institute for Government.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhereNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Gemma Roper and Sam McLaren. The technical producers were Hannah Montgomery and Gareth Jones. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

On today's show:The Covid Inquiry publishes it's first report. Why are Brits still testing and isolating for Covid? Outrage as primary school kids are posed with trans flags and placards.Just Stop Oil founder jailed for five years!Why Trump's fans really are idiots.And more

European leaders have descended on Blenheim Palace with Keir Starmer promising a 'reset' in British-EU relations. But what will that look like in practice?To analyse Britain's future relationship with Europe, an arch-Remainer and a leading Brexit figure go head to head on the Daily T - former Downing Street director of communications Sir Craig Oliver and Lord Frost, Boris Johnson's Brexit negotiator.Plus, a damning report from the Covid Inquiry has found that ministers “failed their citizens” by preparing for the wrong pandemic. The inquiry's chair Baroness Hallett says failure to plan properly led to more deaths and greater costs to the economy, and that the UK will face “immense suffering” if it is not better prepared for the next pandemic, Camilla and Kamal react to the report with chief reporter Robert Mendick outside the Inquiry. And, should men wear ties in the House of Commons?Producers: Georgia Coan and Lilian FawcettSenior Producer: John CadiganExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsPlanning Editor: Venetia RaineyVideo Producer: Luke GoodsallStudio Operator: Meghan SearleSocial Media Producer: Niamh WalshEditor: Camilla TomineyOriginal music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.