On 21st July 2022, Baroness Hallett, the Chair of the Inquiry, kicked off the Covid Inquiry with an opening statement which was streamed virtually via an online webinar. In the opening statement, Lady Hallett outlined how she plans to run the Covid Inquiry. Speaking of a ‘swift but thorough’ approach, the Chair has made clear her intentions to ensure the Inquiry is as thorough as it needs to be, with a view of not making it last any longer than absolutely necessary.
In the opening statement, the Chair also announced that the Inquiry will take a modular approach, meaning the Inquiry will be split into modules covering different areas, starting with Module 1: Preparedness.
What is a Module?
Modules are becoming common practice for public inquiries, and for good reason. A modular approach allows the Chair to issue reports and recommendations for structural change at the end of each Module. This also allows the Chair to keep a close eye on whether those recommendations have been put in place as the Inquiry continues.
The Manchester Arena Inquiry is an example of a public inquiry that has taken this modular approach. The first of three reports have been issued to the public outlining the findings of the investigation so far and recommendations. Not only is this beneficial for the Core Participants of the Inquiry as it encourages action, but it’s also beneficial for the safety and wellbeing of the general public.
How many Modules will there be?
The Chair is yet to make an official announcement of each Module and what they will entail. We do know, however, that Module 1 will cover preparedness, and a preliminary hearing will take place on 20th September 2022. Public hearings are then planned to start in Spring of 2023. You can find more information on Module 1 will cover here:
https://covid19.public-inquiry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Module-1-Outline-of-Scope.pdf
We also know that Module 2 will be split into two parts, part 1 covering core political governance, and part 2 covering decision making. These 2 parts will look at the effectiveness with which the four nations of the UK worked together, lockdowns and data collection and modelling, and behavioural science and messaging. Baroness Hallett announced that she expects Module 2 to begin preliminary hearings in Summer 2023.
Module 3 will look at Government and societal responses, including healthcare, patients, hospitals, primary care, NHS backlogs, and long Covid. The remaining Modules will be announced in later months.
What happens next?
The discovery stage has now begun for Module 1. In July, Baroness Hallett and her team published the Protocol for the Transfer and Handling of Documents, outlining exactly how evidence and relevant documents will be produced, received and handled throughout the course of the Inquiry. We are now waiting for further guidance from the Chair on the upcoming listening exercise and Core Participant status. Details will be shared with our clients as soon as we have them.
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