The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has published its third report, setting out findings and recommendations following its investigation into the impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on the healthcare systems in the four nations of the United Kingdom. It forms part of an ongoing independent public inquiry aiming to examine the UK’s preparedness and response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and to learn lessons for the future.
A key finding from this latest study is that patients who did not have Covid had their diagnosis and treatment delayed due to advice to stay at home. This is consistent with findings from a 2020 study published by Together for Short Lives, in collaboration with Martin House Research Centre and the University of Southampton, concluding that most families caring for a child with a life-limiting condition had felt even more isolated and alone than normal during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Responding to the Inquiry’s findings, Nick Carroll, Chief Executive of Together for Short Lives, said:
“Most families caring for a seriously ill child felt isolated and alone during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some parents describing that they felt like a “forgotten group”. Some saw their child’s treatment cancelled or delayed. Others lost vital therapies for their child.
“The UK’s governments must make sure that, if and when a future pandemic happens, it provides clear guidance on shielding for families of seriously ill children, and prioritises maintaining the vital care and support they rely on. They would need to clearly set out the education, health and social care support that families would be entitled to.
“Children’s hospice and palliative care services across the NHS and voluntary sector went above and beyond during the pandemic to adapt the care and support they could offer to families. As part of the NHS COVID response, around £356 million was provided to hospices to secure and increase NHS capacity and enable hospital discharge. In responding to a future pandemic, ministers would need to act again to ensure that vital children’s palliative care services had the funding, staff and equipment to maintain crucial care and support.”