Covid inquiry to look at impact on care services
ENGLAND, JUN 26 – Nearly 18,500 care home residents in England died during the first Covid wave amid government policies that allowed untested hospital discharges and shortages of protective equipment.
- The Covid Inquiry reopened on July 3, 2025, to focus on the impact of the pandemic on adult social care across the UK.
- This follows early 2020 decisions to rapidly discharge hospital patients, including Covid-positive and untested cases, into care homes to free up NHS beds.
- Officials, including Minister Helen Whately, warned that transferring infected or asymptomatic patients into care settings materially increased risk, contributing to nearly 18,500 care home deaths between March and June 2020.
- Former health secretary Matt Hancock admitted the protective measures were incomplete, while bereaved families demand truth, accountability, and clarity on decisions made at the highest government levels.
- The inquiry’s findings may influence reforms such as the Fair Pay Agreement and the government’s Plan for Change, although some key figures, including Boris Johnson, are not expected to testify.
25 Articles
25 Articles
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Covid Inquiry: 'Generational slaughter' as infected patients sent into care homes - The Mirror
The public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic has been told of 'generational slaughter' after untested hospital patients sent into care homes saw the virus sweep through them 'like wildfire'
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