Covid Inquiry Module 5
Previously, the Chair of the Covid Inquiry announced that the Inquiry would be split into modules, with each module investigating a different area of the pandemic, from the Government’s preparedness to their response. Module 1 of the Inquiry investigated the Government’s preparedness and resilience for a pandemic, Module 2 investigated the Government’s decision-making processes, Module 3 looked into the governmental and societal response to Covid as well as dissecting the impact that the pandemic had on healthcare systems, patients and health care workers, and Module 4 considered a range of issues relating to the development of Covid-19 vaccines and the implementation of the vaccine rollout programme in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You can read more on that here.
Module 5 opened on 24 October 2023. This module will consider and make recommendations regarding the procurement and distribution to end-users across the four nations of the United Kingdom of key healthcare related equipment and supplies, including PPE, ventilators and oxygen.
The four weeks of public hearings will run from Monday 3 March to Thursday 27 March 2025.
You can watch the hearings live, subject to a three-minute delay, via YouTube by clicking here. To see all of the public information about the Inquiry, please visit their website here.
Nicola Brook has also re-started the Covid Inquiry Podcast, discussing what has happened on a weekly basis in court. You can also listen to all previous and recent instalments on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
Module 5 Scope
This module will consider and make recommendations regarding the procurement and distribution to end-users across the four nations of the United Kingdom of key healthcare related equipment and supplies, including PPE, ventilators and oxygen. This module will investigate the robustness and effectiveness of procurement processes, the adequacy of the items obtained (including their specification, quality and volume) and the effectiveness of their distribution to the end-user. Areas to be covered in this module will include:
1. The existence and effectiveness of processes, procedures and/or contractual provisions in place for the procurement and distribution of key healthcare equipment and supplies to the end-user prior to and during the pandemic. This will include examination of:
- The overall value of the contracts awarded
- Preparedness, including pre-existing stockpiles, inventory management and suitability
- Steps taken to eliminate fraud and the prevalence of fraud
- Conflicts of interest
- Contractual performance by suppliers and manufacturers
- Compliance with public law procurement principles and regulations
2. Procurement of key healthcare equipment and supplies to the end-user in the period leading up to and during the pandemic.
3. The operation and effectiveness of any regulatory regimes and/or oversight (either by the procuring authority or end user) in relation to key medical equipment or supplies during the pandemic including:
- Guidance issued by the relevant advisers, regulators and/or government
- The need for, and the efficacy of standards required by the MHRA and the BSI
- The validation process including benchmarks and revalidation
You can read the full provision scope document here.
Core Participant Status for Module 5
The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group have been awarded Core Participant status in Module 5 of the Covid Inquiry, with Broudie Jackson Canter instructed as their Recognised Legal Representative.
If you are bereaved and aren’t involved in the Inquiry but wish to be, we encourage you to join the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group to make sure you have a voice in this Inquiry.