Today’s launch of the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry by chair Heather Hallett marks the start of what is likely to become one of the most wide-ranging statutory investigations our country has ever seen.
And so it should be.
As Lady Hallett outlined today, Covid-19 was utterly devastating.
Since March 9th 2020, more than 180,000 deaths linked to the virus have been registered in the UK. It led to ‘restrictions imposed on every aspect of the life’ which she rightly says were ‘unprecedented in peacetime’.
Admitting she faces a ‘substantial task’, Lady Hallett pledged to be ‘ruthless, ‘rigorous’ and ‘fair’ in her approach, adding that she is ‘determined to run the Inquiry as thoroughly and as efficiently as possible.’
Lady Hallett has confirmed the inquiry will be heard in ‘modules, each with specific issues to investigate, and open for people wishing to take part to apply to be granted core participant status.
It will see dedicated teams investigating and commissioning research as the inquiry progresses.
Given this inquiry is likely to take many years to reach its full conclusion, I think this is a very sensible approach. It is important that people not only see public hearings being held, but also see regular reports, findings and recommendations being published and implemented.
Covid-19 Public Inquiry expects ‘quick responses’
I was pleased to see Lady Hallett making it plainly clear that she expects quick responses by people and organisations to the recommendations she makes, to ensure “lessons are learned before another pandemic strikes”.
Making changes as quickly as possible to better protect the public in the future has to be the priority, and with that in mind it was certainly good to hear her say a system is going to be put in place to monitor how recommendations are followed up and implemented.
Evidence will start as early as September of this year, with the first module looking into how quickly the UK identified the risk of the pandemic and prepared for the impact. The first public hearings are scheduled for late-Spring 2023.
A second module will then focus on how the government and civil service responded to the first wave of Covid-19, including lockdowns, public communication, and use of scientific data. Hearings are set for next summer.
The third module will investigate governmental and societal responses to Covid-19, on healthcare systems generally and on patients, hospital and other healthcare workers and staff.
Amongst other issues, it will investigate healthcare systems and governance, hospitals, primary care (including GPs and dentists), the impact on NHS backlogs and non-Covid treatment, the effects on healthcare provision of vaccination programmes and Long Covid diagnosis and support.
Future modules are to be announced and will cover issues including vaccines, therapeutics and anti-viral treatment; the care sector; government procurement and personal protective equipment; testing and tracing; government business and financial responses; health inequalities and the impact of Covid-19; education, children and young persons; and the impact of Covid-19 on public services and other sectors.
At Hudgell Solicitors, our experienced Public Inquiry Team is currently investigating the possible negative health impact of the Covid-19 vaccine and any links to suffering a range of illnesses and disabilities after having Covid-19 vaccinations.
An application is being made with regards to this group of people being granted Core Participant status at the Public Inquiry, at the relevant module.
There is no cost to gaining initial advice, so complete our form today and our team will be in touch.