Covid-19 Inquiry announces date for Module 3 preliminary hearing

The Covid Inquiry has announced the date of the first preliminary hearing for Module 3, which will take place on 28 February 2023. Module 3 looks at the impact of the pandemic on healthcare. We expect see an increase in rule 9 requests for Module 3 around the time of the preliminary hearing, and on an iterative basis as the inquiry progresses.

As a reminder, the areas of focus for Module 3 are:

• The impact of Covid 19 on peoples’ experience of healthcare;
• Core decision-making and leadership within healthcare systems;
• Staffing and capacity, including the establishment and use of Nightingale hospitals;
• 111, 999 and ambulance services, GP surgeries, hospitals and cross-sectional co-operation;
• Healthcare provision and treatment for patients with Covid-19, and the impact on those requiring care for reasons other than Covid-19;
• Decision-making about treatment for patients with Covid-19;
• The impact on staff;
• Preventing the spread of Covid-19 within healthcare settings;
• Communication with patients;
• Deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic;
• Shielding and the impact on the clinically vulnerable;
• Characterisation and identification of post-Covid conditions.

The preliminary hearing will include an update from the Inquiry Counsel on Core Participant applications and further details on the Inquiry’s plans for this module. The deadline for Core Participant applications for Module 3 has now passed.

Bevan Brittan is ready to assist healthcare organisations in the event that advice or support is required.

If it would be helpful to have an informal discussion at this stage, please feel free to contact Melanie Carter, Partner or Sarah Court-Brown, Senior Associate.