The UK government’s “Protect the NHS” mantra during the early pandemic came at the expense of care home residents, who were denied testing, PPE, and family visits. The Covid-19 inquiry found the adult social care sector was treated as an “afterthought,” with hospitals discharging untested patients into care homes. More than 43,000 care home deaths were recorded by July 2022.
Baroness Heather Hallett said policy failures allowed the virus to spread like “wildfire.” Former health secretary Matt Hancock’s claim of a “protective ring” was called inaccurate. Care workers lacked proper PPE, and visiting restrictions caused “immense emotional harm.” Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to learn lessons and prepare social care for future pandemics.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing