How to respond to a crisis: lessons from the Covid pandemic

Institute for Government

The coronavirus crisis has seen many organisations from many sectors work together in their responses. These include government departments, local authorities, NHS trusts, police forces, charities and community groups. But while there are many examples of successful collaboration and coordination, it has varied substantially in different parts of the country, and across and between national and local government. So what lessons can be learnt for future crises? Have some parts of national or local government responses worked more effectively than others? What is the cost of not getting this right? And what are the appropriate roles and responsibilities for different organisations in a crisis? Our panel to discuss these issues were: Mike Adamson, CEO of the British Red Cross Saffron Cordery, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Providers Jacqui Smith, Chair of University Hospitals Birmingham and former Home Secretary Robin Tuddenham, CEO of Calderdale Council and Co-Chair of West Yorkshire Prepared The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.