Covid inquiry needed to ​learn pandemic lessons and prevent ​future frontline worker ​deaths

There must be a full public inquiry into the government​’s handling of the Covid crisis as soon as the worst of the pandemic is over​, says UNISON today (Tuesday) on the anniversary of the first lockdown. The union​ – which represents ​1.3m NHS, care and ​other public service workers, including porters, midwives and refuse collectors – wants any investigation to enable the voices of frontline staff to be heard, for lessons to be learned and those responsible for failings to be held to account. UNISON also urged people to take a moment ​today ​to remember the more than 126,000 people who have lost their lives ​in the past year, including hundreds of public service workers. UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “It’s important everyone takes a moment on this sombre day to remember the countless lives lost. ​A year ago, none of us could have imagined the death toll from this devastating virus. “The success of the vaccination programme has shown the NHS at its best. But the government has come up short in protecting the nation especially frontline workers. ​Many staff have been left desperate, frightened and traumatised as a result. “Lockdown​s have come too late, NHS employees had to deal with the terrible consequences, and social care was effectively abandoned at a terrible cost to residents and staff. “This year has shone a spotlight on the poor state of the social care sector and on how h...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: News Press release coronavirus Source Type: news