Care home residents sacrificed during Covid killing 43,000: inquiry

A Covid inquiry found care home residents were sacrificed to protect the NHS.

Over 43,000 residents died after infected patients were discharged into care homes without adequate testing, isolation or PPE. Some 25,000 patients were discharged between March 17 and April 15, 2020. Visiting bans caused severe isolation and denied many families the chance to be with dying relatives.

The report blames poor pre-pandemic planning, ignored Exercise Cygnus warnings, inappropriate DNACPR use, and staff burnout. Baroness Hallett said action came 'too late' and recommended isolation planning, paid sick leave, new visiting rules and mandatory end-of-life training.