Responding to the latest ONS figures showing almost 20,000 care home residents have died with coronavirus, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The devastating scale of the coronavirus crisis in our care homes is heartbreaking. It shows the Government’s claim that they had a “protective ring” in place was completely bogus.
“We must learn the lessons of this crisis in real time. Alongside adequate protective equipment, routine testing for residents and care workers could not be more important. The Government must ensure every care home has access to regular testing now and for as long as is required to stop more families losing loved ones.
“The failure to protect those in care is yet more evidence of the pressing need for an independent inquiry into the Government’s handling of this crisis. The Prime Minister must not try to dodge scrutiny or shift the blame for this. He must publicly commit to an inquiry process.”