Thanks Fionn. I too remember most of the points that he covers. I was in fact in our local hospital several times during the 2020 and 2021 Covid era with different very painful acute conditions, including an operation. I can tell you that the A&E was in fact empty every time I went in there. I can tell that when I went to other parts of the hospital that was also empty. I can tell you I went past corridors of prepared but empty & silent wards. Several times. My wife attended hospital for her conditions during the same period and has quite remarkable photos of completely empty departments.

As far as the Statistics go, at the time I downloaded the Excel spreadsheets from ONS for excess deaths, plus the NHS bed use. From what I recall there's no significant observable deviations from normal, certainly within standard deviation territory. I haven't looked at them for a long time.

I also seem to recall Matt Hancock had to account for for the massive increase (reportedly 1000% if I recall?) in Midazolam use, but I haven't seen any such account.

Make of that what you will.