‘Conclusion we are less prepared for a pandemic today indisputable’ – SAM past president (19 July)

Commenting on an enquiry from The Guardian and The Observer about whether the UK is better or worse prepared today compared to 2020 following the findings outlined in the Covid inquiry, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The conclusion that we are less prepared for a pandemic as we stand today is indisputable. Acute hospital services are collapsing. 

“There is insufficient workforce and capacity to meet current demands which leads to patients suffering harm and appalling conditions on a daily basis. There are insufficient critical care beds. 

“A severe winter virus season with either flu or RSV would be catastrophic given our current trajectory; a further pandemic simply unimaginable.

“The many essential services – elective care, community care, public health, research and innovation – all lack capacity and infrastructure to support their role in mitigating any impact from a future pandemic. No coherent disaster plan for pandemic management will succeed without these elements.

“Most importantly, the public are losing faith in the NHS to deliver high quality care in any situation. This impacts on their confidence that a national plan in the light of a further pandemic would keep them and their loved ones safe. 

“Restoring public confidence is key. At the heart of this is investment and sustainable planning: neither of which appear to be on the imminent horizon.”