Call for investigation into all frontline deaths

AN INDEPENDENT investigation must be held to examine the deaths of every frontline NHS worker killed by Covid-19, says Rosie Cooper.

The West Lancashire MP said the government must not be left to investigate itself and that each case should be examined by an independent body.

Dozens of clinical staff have died as the UK battles the coronavirus outbreak, with major concerns surrounding the availability of PPE such as face masks, gloves and aprons.

Liz Glanister, a former Edge Hill University student, was one of the first NHS staff to lose her life after testing positive for coronavirus when she died on April 3.

The 68-year-old was a long-serving nurse at Aintree Hospital and was described by those who knew her as “selfless” and a “hero”.

At a Health and Social Care Select Committee meeting last week, Ms Cooper questioned the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, about whether the deaths of clinical staff who have died working in the NHS are being referred to the Health and Safety Executive for investigation.

Mr Hancock said that investigations were being done by the NHS and the employers of the staff and will involve the Health Service Safety investigations body.

Following The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 2013, it is a legal requirement to make a report when a worker dies.

In response, Ms Cooper has submitted a Parliamentary question to the Health Secretary, asking whether the NHS would be breaking the law by not reporting the deaths of staff to the Health and Safety Executive following occupational exposure to coronavirus.

She said: “I feel it is absolutely necessary for any investigation into these deaths to be carried out by a wholly independent body.

“It is essential that these investigations are transparent and conducted independently of any organisation involved in the handling of this crisis, as we cannot effectively have the employer investigating itself.

“I have written to the chief executive of the Health & Safety Executive to explain that I believe it is imperative that the Health & Safety Executive investigates each and every one of these deaths, to ensure that the circumstances and any opportunity for learning are made public.”