I attended the launch of the Covid-19 inquiry report by Lady Hallett and I left the viewing room with my emotions all over the place (UK in ‘worse shape’ to deal with pandemic than before Covid, experts say, 19 July). I remembered my dead colleague, dead patients and a dead friend. But I also remembered our first informal meeting in the NHS, when the possibility of a new pandemic was briefly and casually discussed. This was in October 1999. Labor was in power and our focus was on innovation and modernization across the NHS. I was a passionate enthusiast for all these new policies – a cheerful foot soldier for change. Sound familiar?
My contribution as a senior NHS change leader between 2002 and 2005 was to help build a new learning system or infrastructure that includes a health observatory capable of horizon scanning for any threats to the NHS and, by default, to the public. This innovation was one arm of the new NHS University, designed to provide an integrated learning system across the health sector. The two areas of concern were pandemics and climate change.
We have learned from the HIV/Aids work in South Africa that we must “learn faster than a virus” to stand any chance of succeeding in overcoming the impact of new viruses. How did many colleagues from the Department of Health react to this? It was considered “nice to have” in civil service speak. Our attempt to speak truth to power has led to the demise of these organizations and many of us with them.
In the report, Lady Hallett says that warnings were not heeded and that learning was not integrated into the NHS culture. It has a familiar ring to it, like the previous one Kennedy report in the Bristol Royal Infirmary Scandal reached similar conclusions. Everything changes and everything stays the same.
Edward Rosen
Former Head of Learning, NHS University, 2002-05
Prof Devi Sridhar’s response to the first report of the Covid-19 inquiry does not cite systemic racism as a factor contributing to the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on some ethnic minority communities (The Covid inquiry report makes it clear: Britain was completely and fatally unprepared, 18 July). While lack of preparedness and underlying health inequalities did contribute to Britain’s poor performance, it does not fully explain the disproportionate impact on people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
During the pandemic, the Guardian was at the forefront of reporting that doctors and nurses from these communities were more likely to die from Covid-19. Our work has shown that the nature of the work (in public-facing, key worker roles) and the living conditions (in urban, crowded areas) of people from these communities increase their risk of infection and death.
By avoiding the need to address systemic racism, the inquiry’s recommendations risk repeating the mistakes made during the pandemic. It is hoped that the new government will take these issues seriously and work to tackle racial inequality.
Jabeer Butt
CEO, Race Equality Foundation
There is no big problem in knowing what actions should be taken to prevent another pandemic – simply copy what is usually done with Ebola. Isolate the first patient from whatever illness and all their contacts. Test them and close boundaries until they are clear.
Edward Lyon
Sandown, Isle of Wight
