Matt Hancock deserted health and care staff ‘in their hour of need’, says UNISON

Former health secretary needs to take responsibility for chaos caused and lives lost on his watch

Commenting on evidence from former health and social care secretary Matt Hancock to the Covid inquiry today (Thursday), UNISON head of health Helga Pile said:

“Matt Hancock’s lasting legacy will be how not to respond to a national crisis. He should hold his head in shame for deserting health and care staff in their hour of need.

“Dodgy dealings at the heart of government meant many profited from supplying substandard protective clothing. Safety kit was either unavailable or unfit for purpose, and care workers and those they looked after died.

“It’s time Matt Hancock took responsibility for the chaos caused and the lives lost while he was in charge.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Sophie Goodchild M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk