Scottish COVID-19 inquiry|Closing statements|Health and social care impact hearings|27 June 2024
Stuart Gayle KC speaks of 'devastating' care home closures, isolation harms and DNACPR orders. Kirstyn Burke solicitor for Scottish Care on the distress caused by lockdown restrictions.
1-Stuart Gayle KC
Care home closures
Stuart Gayle KC is reading from the witness statement of Dr.Jennifer Burns. Formerly president of the British Geriatric Society from November 2019 to November 2022Â during the time of the COVID pandemic.Â
During lockdown it was said anyone of old age was deemed ‘‘vulnerable.’’
‘Dr Burns observed that the term vulnerable was a BLANKET TERM used to apply to older people and as such was a SHOCK to many people.’
‘Anxiety related to the risks of the virus resulting in many older people being afraid to go out and resume previous activites EVEN WHEN RESTRICTIONS HAD ENDED.’
Lockdown meant older people stopped exercising and social interactions were reduced or elimated completely. Good for their health?
‘The longer term impact is likely to be negative for their physical and mental health.’
‘These restrictions were too prolonged.’
I would like to draw attention to what Dr.Burns stated at paragraph 81. I find this deeply disturbing. eg-People being placed on end of life drugs prior to becoming seriously ill with ‘COVID'.
Isolation
In this segment Stuart Gayle KC talks about the harms from the visiting restrictions and prolonged isolation on care home residents.
‘The immediate closures of care homes in March 2020 a DEVASTATING disruption of normality.’
‘In many cases the isolation of the resident was COMPLETE'
Adverse effects of isolation were profound. Window and garden visits were ‘distressing.’ Residents were policed by staff.
‘Indeed on other occassions the word IMPRISONMENT was used.’
‘Many witnesses spoke of noticing a marked deteriorartion in the physical and mental well-being of their loved one following EXTENDED periods of isloation.
‘This deterioration was attributed to the isolation.’
DNACPR decisions/Communication with care homes
‘A number of witnesses complained that DNACPR notices were placed on their relatives notes without an appropriate level of consultation.’
In care homes:
‘There were concerning instances when calls went unanswered.’
‘A number of witnesses expressed both shock and distress to discover that a DNACPR notice existed in respect of their loved ones..without consultation with the patient and or family members is a matter of concern.’
2-Kirstyn Burke-solicitor-Scottish Care
Highlights below followed by full video.
‘Dr.Donald Macaskill CEO of Scottish Care gave evidence about the impact that isolation and social distancing had on residents,PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH DEMENTIA.’
‘Alzheimers Scotland and OTHERS also spoke of cognitive decline that those with DEMENTIA experienced.’
By APRIL 2020 (Scottish Care) wanted restrictions relaxed due to harms.
Human rights abuses
Withdrawal of healthcare services
Clinical abandonment
‘GPs and other health professionals ceased to visit care homes.’
‘Witnesses have spoken of ambulances refusing to take care home residents to hospital.’
Statement
Lack of insurance
A different view now
Unfit for discharge
DNACPR no consent and discrimination
Care staff suicidal
Clinical abandonment
Unprecedented levels of death first few months
Care homes were isolation hospitals
Final thoughts
So we have consistent admissions of severe policy harms due to restrictions and in particular isolation on those with Dementia along with pressured DNACPR orders yet no one at the inquiry can ask THE most obvious question of all…
What if these policies were real cause of excess deaths in lockdown, not any novel virus?
I could find no reports by any mainstream or even ‘‘alternative’’ media outlets of these testimonies.
End
Kirstyn Burke-Full video:
Links:
Full statement Dr Jennifer Burns- https://www.covid19inquiry.scot/sites/default/files/ev-documents/sci-wt0572-000001.pdf
Full statement Scottish Care- https://www.covid19inquiry.scot/sites/default/files/ev-documents/sci-clsstn-000026.pdf
Full video-Youtbe-Scottish COVID-19 inquiry-Closing statements | Health and Social Care Impact Hearings | 27 June 2024 (morning session)
https://www.bgs.org.uk/dr-jennifer-burns
"While end of of life care has been an integral part of care for older people" I have a problem with this sentence, you do not approach an older person with end of life care first and foremost on your mind. The older person deserves to live out their natural life if they desire. I hear people saying that a respiratory infection is an old persons friend, no it is not, dying from an untreated chest infection is one of the most painful and uncomfortable experiences you can imagine and being older is absolutely not a reason to deprive them of treatment. We have been on a slippery slope with regards involuntary euthanasia in older people for a long time.
The thing I don't understand is that alot of the alleged actions are potentially criminal in intent.
Where are the police investigation's in this?