Module 3 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry officially opens

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry opened its Module 3 investigations on 8 November, including the application process for Core Participant (CP) status. Module 3 will consider the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the healthcare sector in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. An examination of the consequences for healthcare, including the impact on systems and services, patients, doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff will form a core part of the investigations.

The provisional scope of Module 3 lists 12 key areas for investigation. In summary, these are:

• 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.
• Emergency services, GP surgeries and hospitals and cross-sectional co-operation between services.
• Healthcare provision and treatment for patients with Covid-19 (including the allocation of staff and resources and the impact on those requiring care for reasons other than Covid-19, i.e., delays in treatment and waiting lists).
• Decision-making about the nature of healthcare to be provided for patients with Covid-19.
• The impact of the pandemic on healthcare staff (including their availability).
• Preventing the spread of Covid-19 within healthcare settings.
• Communication with patients with Covid-19 and their loved ones about patients’ condition and treatment.
• Deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Shielding and the impact on the clinically vulnerable.
• Characterisation and identification of Post-Covid Condition (including the condition referred to as long Covid) and its diagnosis and treatment.

Applications for CP status will close on 5 December at 5pm. As a reminder, the Inquiry received 75 applications for CP status in relation to Module 2, of which 39 were approved. If you are considering taking part in Module 3 of the Inquiry, you should decide if you wish to make an application as soon as possible. The benefits of CP status include receiving document disclosure, being represented throughout proceedings, having the ability to make legal submissions, suggesting questions to be asked of witnesses, and receiving advance notice of the Inquiry’s report.

Shoosmiths will continue to provide updates on the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, including any future hearing dates for Module 3. We anticipate the hearings will commence in mid-late 2023, given Module 1 and 2 hearings are currently set for spring and summer next year, respectively.