NHS came close to collapse during Covid and patients were failed, inquiry finds

Look past the report’s strong languagepublished at 13:52 GMT

13:52 GMT

Nick Triggle
Health correspondent

An NHS close to collapse, staff working in war zones and patients harmed by not getting the care they needed, this report – the third of 10 the inquiry will publish – uses strong language to describe what happened.

But perhaps the most illuminating and thought-provoking parts of the report, which runs to over 400 pages, are elsewhere.

The slogan Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives was strong, but may have deterred people without Covid from seeking help – and in itself may have caused harm.

Shielding the vulnerable to protect them from Covid was so damaging emotionally many have struggled to return to their previous lives.

Restrictions on visitors, which meant people died alone and women faced childbirth without their partners, were too tough.

There were trade-offs and difficult balances that were struck when it came to the NHS – did the government go too far?