On Monday 14 July, our CEO, Dr Jane Townson OBE, gave evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, speaking up on behalf of members and their remarkable careworkers who brought strength, dignity and connection in the darkest moments. Jane’s key messages included:
- Government overlooked homecare throughout the pandemic, despite it supporting more people than residential care. Officials issued late and inaccurate guidance, without involving homecare providers in planning or response.
- Senior leaders lacked an understanding of homecare. The Department of Health and Social Care moved out experienced social care staff just as the pandemic began, replacing them with people unfamiliar with how our sector works.
- Care workers showed immense courage. When GPs, district nurses and inspectors worked remotely, homecare staff continued visiting people, often as the only professionals providing support. Some faced police stops and public abuse for “breaking lockdown” while they carried out essential care.
- There was a “hierarchy of invisibility” in pandemic planning. While hospitals received attention and funding, home-based care received neither despite being essential to delivering more care in the community.
- Lack of data masked the true picture. Unregulated homecare remains one of the most serious blind spots in our health and care system.
- Structural issues in our sector, including poor commissioning, contracting and funding approaches, undermine care quality, workforce security and business sustainability.
Jane called on the Inquiry to recommend urgent reform, including embedding social care expertise at every level of emergency planning, science advice and operational command.
We will continue to press the Inquiry to make bold recommendations that protect people who draw on care and recognise the unique contribution of the homecare workforce.
- Transcript of Jane’s oral evidence (pages 3-48): Transcript of Module 6 Public Hearing on 14/07/2025 - UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
- Jane's full witness statement: INQ000587670 - Witness statement of Dr Jane Townson OBE, Chief Executive of the Homecare Association, dated 23/05/2025. - UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
- Jane’s opening statement to Module 6 hearings (pages 129-136): Transcript of Module 6 Public Hearing on 30th June 2025. - UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
What is the Inquiry?
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry began on 28 June 2022 and is proceeding in ten modules to examine the nation's response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Inquiry's primary objectives are to:
- Gain insights for the future, analysing successes and areas for improvement.
- Assess how well the UK can handle a pandemic, including its health and social care, government, and communities.
- Examine how governments and public organisations made decisions regarding lockdowns, healthcare, and economic support.
- Gather public and stakeholder input to ensure they hear the voices of those affected by the pandemic, including families of those who died.
The Inquiry, which is held under the Inquiries Act 2005, is chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett, helped by a team of at least 150 barristers and solicitors.
The Homecare Association has participated in several modules including Module 2, on core UK decision making and political governance, and Module 6 on the care sector.
Module 6 ends on 31 July. There is a timetable here: Module 6 public hearings timetable - UK Covid-19 Inquiry and links to live transmission of hearings at: Hearings Archive - UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
