Covid Inquiry Begins UK Adult Social Care Hearings

The Covid inquiry has commenced its examination of the pandemic's impact on care services for elderly and disabled people in the UK, highlighting a devastating period during which nearly 46,000 care home residents died from Covid between March 2020 and January 2022. Families and care staff seek answers regarding government decisions, particularly the rapid discharge of hospital patients into care homes without mandatory Covid testing, which contributed to the virus spreading in these vulnerable settings. The inquiry also addresses concerns over blanket 'do not resuscitate' orders and restrictive visiting policies that isolated residents from their families. Public hearings for Module 6 of the inquiry are underway, with key witnesses including former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, and participation from major care sector stakeholders to ensure thorough scrutiny. This phase of the inquiry aims to assess government actions and policies affecting domiciliary care providers and care homes, with advocates pressing for accountability and lessons to improve future pandemic responses. Care home managers recall the harrowing early days of the pandemic, contrasting the protective measures then with current more normal interactions among residents and staff.