Scottish COVID-19 inquiry|Closing Statements|Health and Social Care Impact Hearings|28 June 2024 (morning session)
Harrowing testimony from solicitor Simon Crabb representing PAMIS on the 'HORROR' of lockdown isolation.
Highlights below. Full video at the end of the article.
PAMIS is the only organisation in Scotland that works solely with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families for a better life.
Main points:
No Schools
No Day Services
No Crucial Therapies
No Physio
Isolation
‘The restrictions imposed greatly reduced their quality of life.’
-Health+Social care 'CRUMBLED OVERNIGHT.’
-Isolation… 'a HORROR.'
'Poor posture can effect RESPIRATORY FUNTION.'
Further details within the statement
‘The Inquiry has heard evidence of the devastating effect the immediate and extensive removal of services had on people with PMLD and their families.’
‘Pat Graham and Jenny Miller said families found this`terrifying', as everyone `walked away.’
‘Prior to the pandemic, 58% of people with MSLD (more severe learning disabilities) used day services. As at December 2020, almost all day and respite services had stopped.’
‘During lock-down, those individuals in care homes or supported accommodation faced..
..the horror of being summarily denied contact with loved ones.’
‘Several witnesses spoke of the marked decline in health of their loved ones, physically and mentally.’
‘Postural care is a key aspect of care for people with PMLD. There is a dramatic effect if it is reduced.’
‘Poor posture can have a consequential effect on the body, and importantly…
..on respiratory function.’
‘There was evidence that the Covid restrictions have caused a long-term impact on mood and behaviour, with a loss of confidence, and decline in cognitive ability leading to an…
….irretrievable loss of skills.’
‘She put on weight during the pandemic because she was stopped from going out and exercising, going to the park, and visiting her family which socially stimulated her.’
‘She lost her social interaction during the isolation; she was stuck in her room or in the living room. She is now less sociable.’
DNACPR notices
Some really shocking revelations within the statement on the application of DNACPR notices.
‘Generally, families felt that persons with PMLD would be…
..de-prioritised if they endedup in hospital.’
‘Those who were assessed as..'to be treated'…
…those with learning difficulties were at the bottom of the pile."
Masks
A stunning point is made on face masks.. given we were alledgedly dealing with an acute novel respiratory virus.
‘Masks could significantly compromise health where the user has respiratory issues.’
End
Full video:
Links:
Full statement PAMIS- https://www.covid19inquiry.scot/sites/default/files/ev-documents/sci-clsstn-000014.pdf
https://pamis.org.uk/
Truthfully my mind cannot go to the suffering the vulnerable experienced during the shut down of society. We can try to empathise but we cannot walk their journey, society turned its back on them, the people who most rely on functional health and social services but they were ruthlessly shut off from it. These are the very people whose day to day existence is precariously balanced and they only need a small alteration in their support system to push them into a downward spiral. There was no excuse for doing this, why would we deprive the mentally and physically frail of social and health care in a time of need? In what civilised, sane world does any of this make sense? They were abandoned as if they were disposable. There are so many questions that need to be asked and answered but the people that brought this down on our heads are determinedly looking in the opposite direction.
This would all be bad enough if there had been an actual, real threat to which there was a completely hysterical overreaction.
But the whole thing is even worse because there never was a real threat. It simply does not exist. Nowhere in the world can the experts provide evidence of a virus. The entire human race has been used, deceived and damaged by a gigantic lie. The greatest crime of all time.