By James Claughton, 15th November 2022
On 8th November 2022, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry opened its third investigation, known as Module 3. Module 3 is to consider the way in which the healthcare systems in the UK responded to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will assess the impact of the response on healthcare across the UK and what can be learned for the future. Module 3 will look at the impact on systems and services, including patients, doctors, nurses, and other staff.
Baroness Heather Hallett, Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry states:
“The Inquiry will investigate and analyse the healthcare decisions made during the pandemic, the reasons for them and their impact, so that lessons can be learned and recommendations made for the future.”
The Inquiry has set out 12 key areas to be investigated which includes:
• The impact of Covid-19 on people’s experience of healthcare.
• Core decision-making and leadership within healthcare systems during the pandemic.
• 111, 999 and ambulance services, GP surgeries and hospitals and cross-sectional co-operation between services.
• 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.
• Preventing the spread of Covid-19 within healthcare settings, including infection control, the adequacy of PPE and rules about visiting those in hospital.
The application process to become a Core Participant (watch our YouTube video on Core Participants) for Module 3 also opened on 8th November 2022 and will close on 5th December 2022.
