Public inquiry into UK’s response to covid-19

Abstract

A rapid, transparent review is needed before a second wave

Covid-19: Call for a rapid forward looking review of the UK’s preparedness for a second wave—an open letter to the leaders of all UK political parties

“…You may have seen the recent editorial in The BMJ calling for a transparent rapid review of where we are and what needs to be done to prevent and prepare for a second wave 1. We believe that such a review is crucial and needs to happen soon if the public is to have confidence that the virus can be contained.…”

Covid-19: unjustified risk to people held in immigration removal centres

“…We agree with McKee and colleagues that any delay in finding solutions to the challenges of covid-19 must be avoided 1. As they say, there is a disproportionate burden on ethnic minority populations,2 including those held in immigration removal centres for administrative reasons before potential removal to their country of origin.…”

“…Immigration detention harms health, and we regard it as part of the “deeply dysfunctional system” that McKee and colleagues refer to. Well documented harms of detention predate the pandemic,1 but covid-19 has added unjustified risk to the health of detainees and staff. We hope that this vulnerable group of people is not overlooked in any public inquiry, especially as none are serving a criminal sentence—their detention is optional, and the risk to their health entirely avoidable.…”

England’s PPE procurement failures must never happen again

“…The problems experienced with procurement, and the lack of confidence by the Public Accounts Committee that procedures have been fixed, highlight the importance of a rapid review of the UK’s covid-19 response 14. However, this has now become urgent.…”