COVID INQUIRY: ADULT SOCIAL CARE REPORT

Covid Inquiry: Government knew of rising reports of neglect of older people, says Hourglass

“This report records that government knew our helpline was receiving more calls, including a sharp rise in reports of neglect in care homes. The warning signs were there while the crisis was unfolding. Older people and their families are entitled to ask why that knowledge did not translate into better protection."

“The consequences described by the Inquiry are appalling: neglect, failures of basic care, suffering that went unseen and families prevented from being with someone they loved at the end of their life. These were people whose safety depended on systems that failed them."

“Hourglass warned during the pandemic that isolation could increase the risk of abuse and make it harder to seek help. When family visits were restricted and routine inspections suspended, vital opportunities to identify harm were lost. The Inquiry finds that reduced in-person inspections likely contributed to abuse and neglect going unidentified and unreported.”

“In our written evidence to the Inquiry, Hourglass described older victims as ‘locked in and left behind’. Today’s findings on the care sector reinforce the need to confront how easily older people’s voices, rights and safety can be overlooked when decisions are made on their behalf."

“The recommendations on visiting, inspection and end-of-life care training must now be implemented, with named responsibility, published deadlines and scrutiny of delivery. Older people must retain access to trusted people, independent oversight and a means of reporting abuse, including during an emergency."

“But our ambition must extend beyond preparing for another pandemic. We need a comprehensive Safer Ageing Strategy that tackles ageism and abuse, backed by sustained, ring-fenced funding for specialist services supporting older victim-survivors."

“For bereaved families and those who survived abuse or neglect, the test will be whether this report changes what happens when an older person needs protection. That is the responsibility governments must now fulfil.”