Covid: UK start to pandemic worst public health failure ever, MPs say

Thanks for that, JaneJudge. Interesting reading.

And I think the loss of Rory Stewart is very sad, MaizieD

He certainly knew what he was talking about. Frightening really. I'd not seen that interview. Thanks for posting.

One of the biggest factors was the fact that the government had cut funds to the NHS year on year since it took office in 2010. All the good done by Labour was totally undone.

Staff shortages are the biggest issue and nothing is being done even now to mitigate this crises.

Alegrias1

I'm not going to get drawn into a "surely you knew!" discussion.

I left work on the 16th March and went into a self imposed lockdown with DH. Never went back. Its one thing knowing that there is a serious contagious disease around and its a whole different thing closing down our entire society and practically bankrupting the country.

Johnson's actions were stupid and we all knew it at the time - all the handshaking and what have you. We can discuss it from now to Kingdom Come but anybody who says they knew what was coming is using selective memory.

I'm afraid I disagree with you. There are videos available of people who foresaw what was inevitable, but they were dismissed by people such as Steve Barclay and, of course, Johnson himself. I remember discussing the situation with my current partner right at the start. We don't live together and we discussed what it would be like not being able to see each other for months. As it was, he worked flat out because his own research is related to coronaviruses and vaccines. By the second (?) week of March case rates were doubling every two or three days and we were both horrified that nothing was being done.

Thank you, Grow-stuff, and sorry for being so far behind the times in corporate jargon, but what does group-think actually mean? If, as one might suppose, it means that the group considered the problem and agreed what to do - well, that isn’t how it was presented at the time. The inference of course is that no member of the group takes responsibility.

It's the desire of a group to reach a consensus and the unwillingness of participants to speak out in case there's pressure on the consensus. It can mean that there's no critical evaluation and discussion of contentious issues. People in groups want to fit in and don't want to be seen as difficult.

This Government was in power and must take responsibility. So many of us took precautions before they did. They just didn’t seem to realise how serious it was. Growstuff is right.It was only when the pictures came through from Italy and even then it took 4 days to lock down.

I think there will be many court cases resulting from these conclusions. I don't know how a .monetary value can be put on a life but I daresay there is a legal way.

Kim19 I’m not sure court cases will do much good for the simple reason it’s only when someone has dependents that much is paid out, and most were dependent rather than having dependents. It will just go on for ever. I think recognition is probably more important than money. After my son died we were paid a small sum but it wasn’t money we wanted. We wanted to hear lessons had been learnt and steps would be taken to improve the situation in future. In reality it didn’t happen. In this case perhaps it will.

There is so much footage popping up now that shows that the government was absolutely aware of the issues and crises about to happen. They knew that they should lockdown and take other measures but failed to do so.

There is no doubt in my mind that they are culpable of manslaughter.

There is so much footage popping up now that shows that the government was absolutely aware of the issues and crises about to happen. They knew that they should lockdown and take other measures but failed to do so.

There is no doubt in my mind that they are culpable of manslaughter.

But Johnson is a Conservative and business and the economy comes first. The people are only there to serve, quite expendable. What did you think? No mere disease was going to stop that, chin up boys, jolly good show.

Health is totally devolved.

Are Ms.Sturgeon and Mr.Drakeford going to be held to account and their actions/reactions to the Pandemic analysed?

Probably not on GN GG13 ...It’s only the Conservative government that can ever be held to account

The report primarily concerns the response in England.

Squirming and complaining about the devolved nations won't help you here.

I guess we'll find out when we have a proper Public Enquiry in Scotland at the end of the year, instead of marking our own homework.

GrannyGravy13

Health is totally devolved.

Are Ms.Sturgeon and Mr.Drakeford going to be held to account and their actions/reactions to the Pandemic analysed?

I live in England, why waste effort on something I can’t change?

R4 this morning on health service. It is clear that the Tories are intent on full privatisation.

4-5 years wait for hip operations.

As long as Sturgeon and pals aren’t running the inquiry of course....

It isn’t clear on that point at all whitewave ! That is simply your take on it.

lemongrove

It isn’t clear on that point at all whitewave ! That is simply your take on it.

I really really hope you are right Lemongrove, surely nobody wants full privatisation.

Alegrias1

The report primarily concerns the response in England.

Squirming and complaining about the devolved nations won't help you here.

I guess we'll find out when we have a proper Public Enquiry in Scotland at the end of the year, instead of marking our own homework.

I am neither squirming or complaining just asking a valid question regarding the First Ministers of two devolved nations of the U.K.

Fair enough, I apologise to you GG13.

Alegrias1

Fair enough, I apologise to you GG13.

?

GrannyGravy13

Alegrias1

The report primarily concerns the response in England.

Squirming and complaining about the devolved nations won't help you here.

I guess we'll find out when we have a proper Public Enquiry in Scotland at the end of the year, instead of marking our own homework.

I am neither squirming or complaining just asking a valid question regarding the First Ministers of two devolved nations of the U.K.

Tone, GG13, tone.

Having contributed nothing to the discussion about the report you then come up with some whataboutery. It looks like an attempt at deflection, I'm afraid.

Whitewavemark2

One of the biggest factors was the fact that the government had cut funds to the NHS year on year since it took office in 2010. All the good done by Labour was totally undone.

Staff shortages are the biggest issue and nothing is being done even now to mitigate this crises.

I worked for the NHS for 17 years before the pandemic. You have hit the nail on the head siting staff shortages. They were crippling the NHS pre-Covid so I have nothing but admiration for those 'up the sharp end' who have battled this damn virus for so long. The Tories have cut budgets but also are far too keen on filling hospitals up with management on eye-watering salaries while nurses and midwives see their measly pay either frozen or given a grudging 1% rise. Cull most of the management and increase the workers!!!

MaizieD

GrannyGravy13

Alegrias1

The report primarily concerns the response in England.

Squirming and complaining about the devolved nations won't help you here.

I guess we'll find out when we have a proper Public Enquiry in Scotland at the end of the year, instead of marking our own homework.

I am neither squirming or complaining just asking a valid question regarding the First Ministers of two devolved nations of the U.K.

Tone, GG13, tone.

Having contributed nothing to the discussion about the report you then come up with some whataboutery. It looks like an attempt at deflection, I'm afraid.

Not at all, I posted (16.14 yesterday) my thoughts.

I think it’s good that England has not only compiled a report but released it so quickly, I look forward to seeing the devolved nations reports in due course…

I am looking forward to the full judicial enquiry that the bereaved are calling for.

This report is “in-house”

We need an independent report with the full force of the law that enables the judiciary to have sight of all the necessary data.

If of course the government hasn’t got rid of some of it.

That is something else that needs looking at.