Covid Action: Pandemic planning and preparedness presentation (13 April 2026)

Summary

Following the publication of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s Module 5 report into procurement of personal protective equipment, the group ‘Covid Action’ has released the video of a presentation made to them by David Osborn, former member of the CATA Executive Team (Covid Airborne Transmission Alliance).

In the report, Baroness Hallett’s opening words were particularly scathing:

“The lack of effective pandemic preparation … meant that the UK entered the Covid-19 pandemic with its stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) in a perilous condition, with shortages of vital stock and large quantities of expired stock left unattended... This left health and social care workers without adequate PPE to protect themselves, and those for whom they cared, from infection.”

David, In his presentation to Covid Action in April (3 months before publication of the Hallett report), explained the background factors that underpinned these catastrophic failures, which left so many healthcare workers and patients dead or languishing with severe long-term health problems.

Content

David's presentation can also be downloaded from the PDF attachment below:

David Osborn presentation - pandemic planning and preparedness.pdf

Unfortunately, due to time-constraints at the meeting, David was unable cover related topics in which he describes how the activities of the IPC Cell and the Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) exacerbated the situation once the pandemic had started. Anyone wishing to see this content can find it in another of David's presentation here. 

About the author

David Osborn is a health and safety consultant, having been in practice for 32 years. He has a background in biochemistry, microbiology, epidemiology and emergency planning.