Responding to the UK COVID-19 Inquiry

This month, the COVID-19 inquiry led by Baroness Hallett concluded that the government’s claim to have put ‘a protective ring’ around care homes was ‘unfounded’. Following the report, our Chief Executive Stephen Hammersley was invited on to Christian radio station TWR to share his thoughts.

Asked if the adult social care sector was undervalued during the pandemic, Stephen said, “There’s no doubt the care sector was an afterthought at very best. We saw that firsthand in all kinds of ways, whether it was the provision of PPE that we were told was available and wasn’t, or whether it was guidance that was always an interpretation of guidance for hospitals.”

Stephen highlighted how, in difficult circumstances, the resilience of our frontline staff was proven, with local communities coming to stand outside our care homes and clap to show their love and appreciation for all their hard work.

The report also tells of the emotional toll suffered by those isolated from their loved ones.

Stephen noted how the pandemic has brought home the vitality of human connection to all those living with us at Pilgrims’ Friend Society. He said, “There are significant negative consequences from focusing on what I will call now the physical or the medical safety of people… We knew this, but now we know it more fundamentally.

“Good care isn’t just about keeping people medically or physically safe. It's about making sure that people are in relationship. It's making sure that people have purpose. It's making sure that people have identity.”

In a Christian context, this includes making sure people are still able to worship together and encourage one another.

Stephen added that good care is always a collective endeavour, and that every member of the church has a part to play. There is also huge mission field among older people who identify as Christian may not have a living faith, both in care homes and in the wider community.

Stephen’s interview will be available online for a limited time. Listen here.