The first module report published today (18 July) by the UK COVID-19 Inquiry concludes that the system of building preparedness for the pandemic suffered from several significant flaws, meaning the virus caused more deaths than it should have.
The report recommends a major overhaul of how the UK government and devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prepare for whole-system civil emergencies.
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said: “Today’s report will make emotional reading for nursing staff across the UK. The thoughts of our profession are with the bereaved, and those continuing to live with the long-term effects of COVID-19.
“The response to the pandemic was deeply flawed, stemming from a failure at the very top of governments to plan, prepare and resource health and care services effectively for a respiratory disease outbreak. A sustained period of austerity widened health inequalities and weakened health service infrastructure, whilst a total failure to invest in the nursing workforce left every care setting chronically understaffed.
“Throughout the pandemic, nursing professionals raised concerns about a lack of appropriate clinical and protective equipment, but our voices were not heard. As the largest single workforce in the NHS, the nursing profession was isolated, hindering our participation in the development of clinical guidance and preparedness planning.”
Nursing has always been at the forefront of infection prevention expertise but the “groupthink” referenced in the inquiry report, exemplified in England by the lack of parity between the Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Medical Officer, held back the pandemic response.
“Four years on from the outbreak of the pandemic, this report makes clear that health and care services remain unprepared for future expected health emergencies. The nursing profession is well placed to support the development of new approaches to risk assessments and pandemic planning, but today's ministers in every country of the UK must ensure we are equal partners,” Nicola added.
"Nursing staff were left exposed by the government’s failure to prepare for the pandemic, which first failed to provide adequate protection against a deadly virus and subsequently left thousands facing the debilitating consequences of long COVID without support.”
The nursing profession also bears the mental scars from holding together services in the face of such devastation. “This report is a vital reminder that frontline health and care workers deserve nothing less than high-quality, fully funded mental health and wellbeing support from their employer,” concluded Nicola.
The RCN is a core participant for much of the UK-wide and Scotland inquiry, speaking out on behalf of members and submitting written evidence. Rose Gallagher MBE, RCN Professional Lead for Infection Prevention and Control, gave written and oral evidence to Module 1 of the inquiry in June 2023, sharing RCN member testimonies with the inquiry.
The pandemic was an incredibly difficult time for many nursing staff. If you need support, you can find useful guidance on the RCN Counselling Service pages or you can contact your Employee Assistance Programme or NHS 111.
Members are encouraged to share their story with the Covid Inquiry's 'Every Story Matters'. Every story shared will be used to shape the inquiry’s investigations and help us all to learn lessons for the future.
