Figures Shine A Blinding Light On Woeful Support Successive Governments Have Given Social Care

Responding to the latest Downing Street press conference, Dr Layla McCay, director at the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare sector, said:

“While the temptation is understandable, we should listen to the experts and resist the urge to make international comparisons on deaths with coronavirus when countries have different ways of recording these figures, which may not be immediately obvious.

“There will be time for a full inquiry on how our Government has prepared and responded to this pandemic but for now, we must stay focused on protecting the NHS to cope with the demand from coronavirus, particularly as health leaders also begin to resume other treatments and healthcare activity that had been paused.

“However, these figures are shining a blinding light on the woeful support that successive Governments have given to our social care sector, which needs both immediate and long-term attention.

“This is a reset moment for how public services are delivered, which we cannot afford to waste.

“Also, as public attention shifts to how social distancing restrictions may be eased, the NHS’s ability to care for us during this pandemic should not be compromised, which includes safeguarding the vital supply of PPE for frontline workers from unnecessary competition.”