Responding to the Covid Inquiry module six report, Cllr Eamonn
O'Brien, Chair of the LGA, said:
The pandemic was an extraordinarily difficult time for people
drawing on care and support, their families and those who care
for them. Councils and their partners worked tirelessly to
support vulnerable residents and communities in challenging
circumstances. This report is an important opportunity to ensure
lessons are learned.
We're pleased to now be working closely with government on
preparation, should there ever be a future pandemic. Councils,
working closely with care providers, the NHS and local partners,
have a central role in supporting and protecting vulnerable
people. Their experience and expertise must be at the heart of
planning for any future pandemic, along with those with lived
experience of care. It is essential that the sector is adequately
funded and recognised as an equal partner to the NHS.
It is absolutely vital that nobody is discharged from hospital
into residential or other care settings where clinically
vulnerable people live, without fail safe testing and isolation
regimes, robust guidance, and workforce support.
We stand with bereaved families in recognising the human cost of
the pandemic. We continue to work with government, our members,
and partners to ensure that lessons of Covid-19 are acted upon.
