The UK Covid Inquiry has found that the government’s “Stay Home, Protect the NHS” message may have contributed to thousands of deaths by discouraging patients from seeking medical care.
The report, led by Baroness Hallett, said the slogan created a perception that the National Health Service (NHS) was not available for non-Covid conditions, leading some people to avoid seeking help even for life-threatening illnesses.
According to the Office for National Statistics, more than 17,000 excess deaths from non-Covid causes were recorded between 2020 and 2022, linked in part to delayed diagnoses and reduced access to care.
Baroness Hallett also criticised ministers, including former health secretary Matt Hancock, for downplaying the extent to which the NHS was under strain. She said the system had been placed under “intolerable strain,” adding: “We coped, but only just.”
The inquiry found that attendances fell for serious conditions such as heart attacks, while screening programmes for diseases, including cancer, were paused, contributing to worsening outcomes.
It recommended that healthcare professionals be more closely involved in shaping public messaging during future crises to avoid deterring patients from accessing care.
