The country’s healthcare systems “came close to collapse” during the COVID pandemic while the Government’s confusing ‘stay home’ warnings stopped the public from seeking vital healthcare
The latest publication from the COVID inquiry found that Healthcare systems were ‘overwhelmed’ and ‘close to collapse’,
Chair of the inquiry Baroness Hallett recommended that in future pandemics ministers must consult healthcare professionals on public messaging to “avoid unintended consequences” while she also criticised the Health Secretary at the time Matt Hancock for downplaying the extent to which the NHS was being overwhelmed
“The healthcare systems came close to collapse. Healthcare workers carried the burden of caring for the sick in unprecedented numbers. It came at a huge cost to them, their families, their patients and the loved ones of patients.”
The report also said that visits for dying patients should be “facilitated as far as possible” due to the “devastating impact” of restrictions which led to many dying alone.
The report found that while restrictions “may be unavoidable” in a pandemic, visits for dying patients should be suspended “for the shortest time possible” and that alternative ways of making contact should be provided.
