The Red Cross and Healthwatch England report suggests many will have returned to infect vulnerable family members or trigger deadly outbreaks in care homes

The Red Cross and Healthwatch England found three out of every ten patients who were able to access a Covid-19 test were not given their results before they were discharged.

It suggests many will have returned to infect vulnerable family members or trigger deadly outbreaks in care homes.

One in five hospital patients questioned were discharged before they were ready to leave.

The findings come from an investigation jointly overseen by Sir Robert Francis QC who headed the enquiry into the NHS Mid-Staffs scandal.

Investigators analysed the impact of emergency measures implemented during the first five months of the pandemic to free up beds for Covid-19 patients.