The BMA has launched its review into the lessons learnt from the Covid pandemic, to understand the UK’s high death toll and understand ‘the impact on doctors and the NHS’.
It comes as the Government said in May that its own review would not begin until spring 2022.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson argued the delay was necessary so as to not ‘inadvertently divert and distract’ the Government, scientific advisers or the NHS.
In response, the BMA announced its intention to undertake the review, with BMA Council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul saying the Government ‘mustn’t use that as an excuse to not get this inquiry underway as soon as is effectively possible’.
Dr Nagpaul added: ‘This inquiry must involve all those who need answers and it needs to start much earlier than the Spring of next year.’
Last week, the BMA called for evidence from a large range of health professionals and organisations to gather ‘experiences whilst working in and dealing with the pandemic’.
Dr Nagpaul said: ‘Your voice counts – the huge challenges we face today must be addressed and a tragedy on this scale must never be repeated.’
The BMA’s review will focus on:
- How well GPs and other healthcare workers were protected from Covid-19
- The impact on GPs and other healthcare workers
- Delivery of healthcare
- How effective the public health response was and the impact on the NHS
- Wider impacts of the Covid pandemic on population health and health inequalities
The initial surveys will run until 8 December.
In Scotland, a public inquiry is due to begin before the end of this year.
At its Annual Representative Meeting in September, the BMA passed a motion calling for a public inquiry into the pandemic to start ‘without delay’, including a consideration of whether ministers should be taken to court for their failings.
