How close were hospitals to collapse in Covid?

The Covid inquiry is resuming its live hearings, shedding light on the immense challenges faced by the NHS during the pandemic. According to senior staff, some hospitals were dangerously close to collapsing under the strain of the outbreak. The inquiry will explore the level of preparedness and resilience within the healthcare system, as well as the decision-making processes that shaped the response. Testimony from NHS personnel will provide a firsthand account of the pressures they experienced, including overwhelmed emergency departments, shortages of critical equipment, and the immense toll on healthcare workers. The inquiry aims to identify lessons learned and ensure the healthcare system is better equipped to handle future crises. It will examine the coordination between different levels of government and the effectiveness of public health measures in mitigating the impact of the pandemic. The findings of this inquiry will be crucial in informing future pandemic preparedness and strengthening the resilience of the NHS, so that it can continue to provide high-quality care to the public, even in the face of extraordinary challenges.