The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, Siobhan Casey, has responded to the sixth report from the Covid Inquiry which examined the pandemic's impact in the social care sector.
The latest report found serious failures in pandemic planning and the protection of care home residents and staff. It found that preparations for the social care sector were inadequate, hospital discharges took place without sufficient safeguards to protect vulnerable residents, and visiting restrictions caused significant harm to older people and their loved ones.
The Commissioner said the Inquiry’s findings highlight the devastating consequences of these failures and reinforce the serious concerns raised by the Commissioner's office by former Commissioner Eddie Lynch, about the treatment of older people during the pandemic.
Responding to the findings, the Commissioner for Older People, Siobhan Casey said:
“When giving evidence to the Inquiry in May 2024, Eddie described the decision to discharge older people from hospitals into care homes without testing for Covid-19 as “reckless”. He warned that older people had paid a high price for the Government’s failures, and highlighted the devastating impact of isolation, inconsistent communication and a lack of meaningful engagement with the care sector.
“Today’s findings underline the consequences of those failures. Older people living in care homes were left without adequate protection, while restrictions on family visits caused immense distress and meant some people died without their loved ones beside them.
“Behind these findings are real people and families whose lives were profoundly affected. Their experiences must never be forgotten, and the suffering they endured must not be repeated.
“The Inquiry’s recommendations must now lead to meaningful action. Governments and health and social care services across the UK, including here in Northern Ireland, must learn the lessons of the pandemic and ensure that older people’s rights, dignity and wellbeing are central to future emergency planning.”
