The UK Covid-19 inquiry has published its latest findings, delivering a stark verdict on how the NHS, its staff and patients were affected during the pandemic. The report says the health service “teetered on the brink of collapse” and only avoided it through the “almost superhuman efforts” of staff.
Heather Hallett, the inquiry chair, said healthcare systems “coped, but only just” and rejected the claim made by Conservative ministers at the time that the NHS had not been overwhelmed. For bereaved families, that language matters.
Naomi Fulop, a healthcare academic and member of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK, said the group was pleased with the first two reports, which she felt vindicated their long-standing concerns. She described giving evidence as one of the most nerve-racking things she had ever done, speaking on behalf of the organisation’s 7,000 members.
The group raised the issue of do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation orders, saying many of their members’ loved ones were placed under these without proper consultation. Fulop said it was not on the chair’s radar until they raised it. The group has also backed calls for a Hillsborough law to improve the conduct of future public inquiries.
Fulop said the underlying issue was that the NHS was absolutely unprepared, lacking the capacity required to meet a pandemic after years of austerity. She added that the NHS is probably in a worse state now than before the pandemic, and that recommendations need to point to strengthening its capacity and resilience.
