CQC give evidence for the UK Covid-19 inquiry

As the UK continues to reflect on the profound impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the release of the Module 1 Report from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry offers a sobering yet crucial analysis of the nation's preparedness and resilience. The findings shine a spotlight on systemic failures and offer bold, necessary recommendations for reform—ones that must not be ignored.

What is the UK Covid-19 Inquiry?

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is an independent public investigation established to review the response to the pandemic and draw lessons for the future. Chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett DBE, the inquiry is divided into distinct modules, each examining specific aspects of the pandemic, from healthcare and political governance to education, social care, and economic impact.

Focus of Module 1: Resilience and Preparedness

Module 1, the first and foundational report, investigates the UK’s ability to prepare for and respond to major health emergencies. Despite extensive planning for an influenza pandemic, the UK’s systems were not adequately equipped to face the scale and complexity of Covid-19. The report identified multiple areas where preparedness fell short.

Key Findings: Where Did the UK Fall Short?

The Module 1 report highlighted several systemic issues:

• Outdated Planning Strategies: The UK’s pandemic strategy, last updated in 2011, failed to adapt to a modern and rapidly evolving crisis

• Complex Bureaucracy: Emergency planning was mired in overlapping structures and confusing rules that slowed response time

• Inadequate Risk Assessment: The government’s risk assessments were narrow in scope and did not anticipate non-influenza pandemics or social inequalities

• Limited Engagement: Local authorities, volunteers, and vulnerable communities were not adequately included in planning

• Lack of Data and Research Readiness: Systems for real-time data collection and research mobilisation were insufficient

• Groupthink Among Advisers: A narrow scientific advisory approach limited diverse viewpoints, leaving blind spots unaddressed

• Insufficient Ministerial Oversight: Ministers often lacked training in emergency planning and failed to challenge the limited advice they received

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The Human and Economic Cost

As the report candidly states:

"If we had been better prepared, we could have avoided some of the massive financial, economic and human cost of the Covid-19 pandemic."

This isn’t just a retrospective critique. It’s a rallying cry to redesign the UK’s civil emergency preparedness from the ground up.

The Recommendations: A Blueprint for the Future

The Inquiry proposes a transformative set of reforms:

✅ Create a Single, Independent Statutory Body for system-wide emergency preparedness and response

✅ Overhaul Risk Assessment Methods to reflect a wider range of threats

✅ Hold a National Pandemic Response Exercise Every 3 Years and publish the outcomes

✅ Simplify Bureaucracy and Leadership Structures to respond faster and more effectively

✅ Bring in External Expertise to challenge groupthink

✅ Improve Data Sharing and Commission Broader Research ahead of future threats

✅ Ensure Inclusive Strategy Development that factors in inequality and vulnerability

These changes are intended to work in tandem, not in isolation, to produce a whole-system transformation. The Inquiry will monitor implementation throughout its duration to ensure real accountability.

Spotlight on Social Care: CQC’s Contribution to Module 6

On 7 July 2025, Mary Cridge, Director of Adult Social Care at the Care Quality Commission (CQC), gave evidence during Module 6 of the Inquiry. This module examines the devastating impact of the pandemic on adult social care across England and the devolved nations.

📄 CQC’s witness statements are publicly available and provide critical insights into the operational challenges, frontline experiences, and the regulatory oversight during the pandemic’s peak:

• CQC Witness Statement – Mary Cridge

• CQC Supplementary Statement – Mary Cridge

  
  

Why This Matters

At CareLearner, we believe that learning from the past is non-negotiable. Our future safety depends on how well we embed these lessons into training, planning, and policy.

For those in healthcare, social care, policymaking, and community leadership, now is the time to act. Training, preparedness, and critical thinking should be at the heart of every system. That’s the change we aim to support every day.

Read the Full Report

You can access the Module 1 reports using the links below:

• Module 1 In Brief Report (PDF)

• Module 1 Full Report (PDF)

Or explore other modules and official documentation at:🔗 UK Covid-19 Inquiry – Reports