Former UK health secretary Matt Hancock defended the policy of discharging untested hospital patients to care homes during the early Covid-19 pandemic, stating it was the 'least worst decision' to free up hospital beds. His testimony at the UK Covid-19 inquiry on Wednesday drew strong criticism from bereaved families, who called his words an 'insult' given the high number of care home deaths and the policy being ruled illegal.
Hancock defends moving hospital patients to care homes during Covid pandemic
Covid inquiryMatt HancockUKHealthCare workersSocial carePoliticsInfectious diseasesNHS
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Former UK health secretary Matt Hancock defended the policy of discharging untested hospital patients to care homes during the early Covid-19 pandemic, stating it was the 'least worst decision' to free up hospital beds. His testimony at the UK Covid-19 inquiry on Wednesday drew strong criticism from bereaved families, who called his words an 'insult' given the high number of care home deaths and the policy being ruled illegal.
Trending- 1 March 2020: Policy to discharge untested patients to care homes implemented.
- 2 March 2020 - January 2022: Almost 46,000 care home residents died with Covid in England and Wales.
- 3 2022: High Court ruled the policy 'irrational'.
- 4 Earlier this week (Tuesday): A care home owner testified she was threatened for refusing untested patients.
- 5 Wednesday (July 2, 2025): Matt Hancock gave evidence at the UK Covid-19 inquiry.
- 6 End of July: Care sector module of the inquiry expected to run until then.
- Almost 46,000 care home residents died with Covid in England and Wales between March 2020 and January 2022
- Rapid spread of disease in care homes
- Policy ruled 'irrational' by High Court in 2022
- Strong criticism from bereaved families and civil servants
- Ongoing public inquiry into the policy
What: Former UK health secretary Matt Hancock defended the policy of discharging untested hospital patients to care homes during the early Covid-19 pandemic at a public inquiry.
When: Wednesday (July 2, 2025) at the UK Covid-19 inquiry; early weeks of the pandemic (March 2020 onwards); 2022 (High Court ruling); Tuesday (earlier this week, care home owner gave evidence).
Where: United Kingdom (specifically England and Wales for death statistics).
Why: To free up hospital beds during the pandemic; Hancock claims it was the 'least worst decision' and would have saved more lives than keeping patients in hospitals.
How: Through a government policy that moved patients from hospitals to care homes without widespread testing or isolation facilities.