A sixth report from the covid inquiry says the care sector appeared to be an afterthought. There were more than 43,000 deaths in care homes between march 2020 and July 2022. The report also highlights shortages of PPE and criticised the way hospitals were discharged into care homes.
A lack of support meant care workers had to resort to makeshift workarounds. But guidance should have made clear that they needed to be isolated. Evidence suggests care home visitors posed a marginal infection risk. Many care homes fail to ease restrictions in line with new guidance.
Age UK charity director says the report is "devastating" the health secretary says the government will provide a full response to the report's recommendations. She says social care has been "undervalued" for too long. The report also showed how important the overhaul was promised by Andy Burnham.
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