THE UK Government made key mistakes in preparing for the pandemic which undermined the ability of the NHS to cope with the crisis, according to a new report.
It said the mistakes left stockpiles short of vital supplies and capacity for personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and testing, and piled more pressure on the NHS.
Academics from Glasgow Caledonian University were part of the team that concludes the Government should hand over future planning for health emergencies to a new independent body.
Their findings are part of a new paper for the Journal of Risk Research, which also involved Cass Business School, in London, Nottingham University, and Vlerick Business School, in Belgium.
READ MORE: Call for scrutiny after UK's ‘flawed’ coronavirus response
The experts in risk management found the NHS’s resilience to the pandemic was compromised by an over-reliance on “lean production” and “just-in-time” continuity planning.
They argue the UK Government failed to act on systemic weaknesses highlighted through emergency exercises.
Co-author of the paper, Dr Patrick Ring, reader in Financial Services at GCU, said: “The risks employees are expected to face as they return to work are unprecedented and should never be repeated.
“It may now be time to consider whether national emergency preparedness, resilience and response should be given over to a public body with independent governance arrangements similar to those of the Bank of England.
“This public body could be enshrined in law, with the NHS pandemic preparedness and resilience responsibilities falling under its umbrella.
“No matter how low the probabilities are, when the stakes are so high there can be no room for complacency, posturing, or political ideology.
“The most recent problems with PPE from Turkey illustrate the fragility of the Government’s reliance upon global supply chains and the importance of national preparedness.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel