Covid inquiry: the flaws that led to system failure

The first report from the UK’s covid-19 inquiry, chaired by Heather Hallett, delivered a scathing critique of the country’s system of planning for and reacting to health emergencies.1 Module 1 of the inquiry examined the structures and processes in place for pandemic preparedness, resilience, and response across the UK. In just over 200 pages, the report paints a clear picture of the serious inadequacies that left the UK unprepared for the covid pandemic. Failings identified include a fatally flawed risk assessment process, an outdated and narrow pandemic strategy, not learning from past outbreaks, and a lack of focus on pandemic preparedness. In essence, the report exposes “a lack of adequate leadership, coordination and oversight” in the years before the pandemic.Perhaps the report’s most telling criticism is that, even now, the structures and organisations we rely on to protect us as a country are blind to their inherent fundamental flaws and…
Read Original Article: Covid inquiry: the flaws that led to system failure »