The furore that has surrounded Dominic Cummings’ trip to Durham during the coronavirus lockdown has led NHS chiefs to fear the public at large may lose confidence in government guidance.
In an unprecedented move the prime minister’s top adviser subjected himself to an hour-long grilling from journalists in the Downing Street garden in which he claimed his decision to travel from London to his parent’s farm in Durham was legal and reasonable.
However, healthcare officials have warned his unapologetic explanation of his actions was too little too late - with industry body NHS Confederation, which represents 500 healthcare organisations, arguing the days of uproar may have undermined the government’s approach at a critical time for the UK outbreak.
The body’s Chief Executive Niall Dickson said: “It is not for us to comment on the merit of individual cases nor to comment on the actions of any member of the Prime Minister's team.
"However, whether or not any criticism is justified, we and our members are concerned at the damage that may be done to public and NHS staff confidence in government guidance because of the way this story has unfolded.
“We cannot stress too much that the guidance has saved tens of thousands of lives and that following the guidance in the weeks ahead is going to be as vital as ever, when discretion will inevitably be greater as the lockdown eases."
Mr Cummings defended his decision to take his wife and child on the 260-mile lockdown trip as he was concerned he and his wife could become so unwell they would not be able to provide adequate care for their son.
But questions remain about a trip the senior adviser to the prime minister took to the scenic market town of Barnard Castle with his family on his wife’s birthday - which he claimed had been a test drive after his eyesight had been affected by the virus.
Professor Jackie Cassell, deputy dean of the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, said the rules were very clear that people should not leave major cities to go to second homes in rural areas.
She added: "During lockdown, and for many months ahead, we all need to protect the NHS from people becoming ill with Covid-19 in second homes.
"This could easily overwhelm the NHS in less densely populated areas.
"This is the reason for the very clear rule - which still stands - that people should not move out of major population centres to their second homes.
Additional reporting by PA.
