Covid inquiry finds government failures let virus spread 'like wildfire' in care homes, with more than 43,000 deaths recorded
Matt Hancock's May 2020 claim of a 'protective ring' around care homes has been dismissed by the UK Covid-19 Inquiry as 'rhetoric'. Patients were discharged from hospitals without anyone knowing if they had the virus. Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett called the failure to advise isolation a 'significant oversight'. One civil servant described the toll as 'generational slaughter within care homes'.
The report says the care sector was 'an afterthought' and the NHS came first.
Visiting bans meant care homes were 'becoming prisons', leaving residents feeling 'abandoned'.
Barred relatives 'remain wracked by a guilt that they do not deserve to carry'.
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The IndependentCare home residents were ‘an afterthought’ and ministers’ failures allowed virus to spread quickly, Covid inquiry findsBBC News - HealthCovid failings in care homes: What the inquiry saysLBCCare sector was 'afterthought' during pandemic as virus 'spread like wildfire' and led to thousands of deaths, inquiry findsLBCCovid inquiry rejects claims of ‘protective ring’ around care homes ‘which felt like prisons’ during pandemicEvening StandardMatt Hancock’s care home protective ring claim ‘unfounded’, Covid report findsDaily MailCare home residents sacrificed during Covid killing 43,000: inquiryThe TelegraphCare home residents were an afterthought, Covid inquiry findsThe GuardianUK government failures led to Covid spreading ‘like wildfire’ in care homes, inquiry findsEvening StandardCare sector was ‘afterthought’ and suffered devastating impactThe HeraldCare sector was ‘afterthought’ and suffered devastating impact – Covid reportMetroBereaved Covid families say Hancock care home 'protective ring' was 'cruel lie'
