Health · Healthcare & Policy · 2 hrs ago
UK Covid inquiry says government failures left care homes exposed
The UK Covid-19 inquiry found government failures left care homes exposed during the pandemic.
It said patients discharged from hospitals were not advised to isolate, allowing the virus to spread among residents and staff.
More than 43,000 people died from Covid-19 in UK care homes between March 2020 and July 2022.
Inquiry chair Heather Hallett said social care was treated as an afterthought, while limits on visits caused severe emotional harm to residents and families.
The inquiry recommended a voluntary register for care workers in England, where the other UK nations already have such systems.
A register could help identify workers, support training and improve communication in a future emergency.
The government says it will give a full response to the recommendations later.
The UK Covid-19 inquiry found that government failures left care home residents and staff exposed to the virus during the pandemic.
Inquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett said it was a significant omission not to advise isolating patients discharged from hospitals into care homes.
More than 43,000 people died from Covid-19 in UK care homes between March 2020 and July 2022.
The inquiry also said care home visiting restrictions caused immense emotional harm to residents and their families.
It recommended a voluntary workforce register for adult social care workers in England, developed within two years.
- Who
- The UK Covid-19 inquiry, chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett, issued the findings.
- What
- It found failures left care homes exposed and recommended a voluntary workforce register for adult social care workers in England.
- When
- The report was published on 20 October 2026.
- Where
- The findings concern adult social care in the UK, including care homes in England.
- Why
- Hallett said the government did not advise isolating patients discharged from hospitals into care homes, allowing the virus to spread rapidly among residents and staff.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
More than 43,000 people died from Covid-19 in UK care homes.
The Covid-19 inquiry published its report on the social care sector.
- Care home deaths
- More than 43,000 people died from Covid-19 in UK care homes between March 2020 and July 2022.
- Workforce register
- The inquiry recommended a voluntary register for adult social care workers in England.
- Register development
- Staff, oversight bodies and commissioners should work together to develop the register within two years.
- Other UK nations
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already had voluntary care registers.
- Visiting restrictions
- Hallett said restrictions caused residents immense emotional harm, profound isolation and a sense of abandonment.
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What people are saying
an afterthought
England must follow suit.
full response
When Covid took off, people using social care and the staff and unpaid carers providing it were left totally exposed.