Statement: Commissioner responds to UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2 Report

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said:

“While it will take time to go through both volumes of today’s Inquiry report and consider its full findings in detail, I wanted to provide my initial response given the significant and disproportionate impact the pandemic had on the lives of many older people and their loved ones across Wales.

“As set out in the report, there were significant failures, at both a Wales and a UK level, which led to levels of illness and death that could have been avoided, while also causing devastating social harms.

“I echo the Chair’s view that while mistakes may be inevitable during unprecedented times of crisis, repeating these mistakes – something that sadly cost many lives – was inexcusable.

“Four words really stand out in the report – ‘too little, too late’ – which should be a source of deep shame for the policy- and decision-makers whose ‘lack of urgency’ impacted upon the lives of millions.

“It is also concerning that some decisions taken during the pandemic seem to have been influenced by political choices, despite ongoing assurances about ‘following the science’. While other factors may need to be used to shape the response to events like the pandemic, it is imperative that governments are open and honest with people about the basis on which decisions are being made.

“Overall, the findings and accounts included within the report are a damning reminder of the extent to which older people, and many other groups, were failed by the governments and systems they looked to for leadership and guidance, which they should have been able to rely upon for protection and support.

“I welcome the Chair’s recommendations, which set out a range of practical action that would ensure a more effective response under emergency circumstances. However, I do have some concerns that there will be older people and their families across Wales that feel they do not go far enough in terms of ensuring there would be accountability for failures or poor decisions in the future.

“I look forward to seeing responses from the Welsh and UK governments setting out how they will deliver the action being called for, but should I feel there are any areas where these responses fall short, or where older people’s voices and experiences seem to have been insufficiently considered, I will not hesitate to raise my concerns with Ministers in Cardiff or Westminster.”