As you know, we have been pushing for the Chair to hear directly from you, the bereaved, in the Inquiry’s evidential hearings. Module 3 will look into the governmental and societal response to Covid-19 as well as dissecting the impact that the pandemic had on healthcare systems, patients and health care workers. This will include healthcare governance, primary care, NHS backlogs, the effects on healthcare provision by vaccination programmes as well as long covid diagnosis and support.

  • The impact of Covid-19 on people’s experience of healthcare.
  • Core decision-making and leadership within healthcare systems during the pandemic.
  • Staffing levels and critical care capacity, the establishment and use of Nightingale hospitals and the use of private hospitals.
  • 111, 999 and ambulance services, GP surgeries and hospitals and cross-sectional co-operation between services.
  • Healthcare provision and treatment for patients with Covid-19, healthcare systems’ response to clinical trials and research during the pandemic. The allocation of staff and resources. The impact on those requiring care for reasons other than Covid-19. Quality of treatment for Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients, delays in treatment, waiting lists and people not seeking or receiving treatment. Palliative care. The discharge of patients from hospital.
  • Decision-making about the nature of healthcare to be provided for patients with Covid-19, its escalation and the provision of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including the use of do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions (DNACPRs).
  • The impact of the pandemic on doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff, including on those in training and specific groups of healthcare workers (for example by reference to ethnic background). Availability of healthcare staff. The NHS surcharge for non-UK healthcare staff and the decision to remove the surcharge.
  • Preventing the spread of Covid-19 within healthcare settings, including infection control, the adequacy of PPE and rules about visiting those in hospital.
  • Communication with patients with Covid-19 and their loved ones about patients’ condition and treatment, including discussions about DNACPRs.
  • Deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, in terms of the numbers, classification and recording of deaths, including the impact on specific groups of healthcare workers, for example by reference to ethnic background and geographical location.
  • Shielding and the impact on the clinically vulnerable (including those referred to as “clinically extremely vulnerable”).
  • Characterisation and identification of Post-Covid Condition (including the condition referred to as long Covid) and its diagnosis and treatment.

 

We would like to hear directly from you if you believe you have an account that is relevant to the issues covered in Module 3 and are willing to be called on as a witness during the hearing.

It will be a matter for the Chair who she decides to call to give evidence but we will put forward a proposal.

Case references start with a letter e.g. A123456.001
Do you believe your experiences of loss through the pandemic illustrate any of the issues listed above?
 
(including but not limited to; ethnic minorities, clinically vulnerable, post-death processes, impact across the Four Nations, impact of Covid-19 legislation and regulations)
If so, which issue(s) (Maximum of 3) do you believe your experiences are reflective of?
(including but not limited to; ethnic minorities, clinically vulnerable, post-death processes, impact across the Four Nations, impact of Covid-19 legislation and regulations)
Is your experience relevant to any of the protected characteristics below? (Please tick all that apply)
If the Chair allows it, would you be willing to be called on as a witness during the Module 2 evidential hearings?