Coronavirus: Calls for government to plan public inquiry

The government must set out plans for an inquiry into its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the health service ombudsman has said. This was not about blaming staff but about "learning lessons", he said.

Ombudsman Rob Behrens said patients were reporting concerns about cancelled cancer treatment and incorrect COVID-19 test results.

Ministers have not committed to holding an inquiry, but have accepted there are lessons to be learned.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) stopped investigating complaints against the NHS on 26 March, to allow it to focus on tackling the COVID-19 outbreak.

But people had continued to phone in with these concerns, Mr Behrens said.

"Complaining when something has gone wrong should not be about criticising doctors, nurses or other front-line public servants, who have often been under extraordinary pressure dealing with the Covid-19 crisis," he said.

"It is about identifying where things have gone wrong systematically and making sure lessons are learned so mistakes are not repeated."

Read full story

Source: BBC News, 1 July 2020