The UK Covid-19 Inquiry concluded hearing evidence from relatives who lost loved ones during the pandemic this week, with closing statements expected to be released later today.
The final inquiry module, ‘impact on society’ opened in 2024 and examined the impact of COVID on the population of the UK with the main focus being on key workers, the vulnerable, the bereaved and mental health and wellbeing.
Lady Hallett, chair of the inquiry, said in her first report that UK citizens were failed by the government, and an earlier lockdown could have saved 20,000 lives.
The Covid Bereaved Families for Justice, a group of more than 7,000 families who pushed for the inquiry, welcome Lady Hallett’s findings saying the inquiry was “hard-hitting, clear-sighted and damning”
Lady Hallet goes on to say, “This module is about making a permanent record of the impact of Covid-19, lest people forget, and about recommending improvements for the future.”
This inquiry has become the most expensive in history, with total costs now at £203.98m
While public hearings are ending, further module reports are expected to be published in the coming years. These include: healthcare, vaccines and procurement.
We are expected to hear closing statements from lawyers later this afternoon.
Updates 05/03 – 3:10pm
Main takeaways:
The pandemic had long-term mental health effects. Isolation during lockdowns caused an increase in anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Uncertainty of the future worsened stress levels, especially for those with pre-existing mental health conditions.
Families unable to be with loved ones when they died still feel anger and guilt about how the deaths were handled.
Health and care workers experienced extreme pressures.
Frontline staff worked long hours dealing with large numbers of deaths. Staff reported burnout, damaged relationships, and some left their professions.
Vulnerable people were badly affected, including disabled people and children with additional needs. Because of disrupted education and reduced support services.
The report concludes that COVID-19 wasn’t just a public health crisis but a social crisis, leaving many people with long term consequences.
This is a developing story, we will bring you more details as they come. Please refresh the page to update.
StandfirstCovid-19 Inquiry concluded hearing evidence from relatives who lost loved ones this week
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry concluded hearing evidence from relatives who lost loved ones during the pandemic this week, with closing statements expected to be released later today.
The final inquiry module, ‘impact on society’ opened in 2024 and examined the impact of COVID on the population of the UK with the main focus being on key workers, the vulnerable, the bereaved and mental health and wellbeing.
Lady Hallett, chair of the inquiry, said in her first report that UK citizens were failed by the government, and an earlier lockdown could have saved 20,000 lives.
The Covid Bereaved Families for Justice, a group of more than 7,000 families who pushed for the inquiry, welcome Lady Hallett’s findings saying the inquiry was “hard-hitting, clear-sighted and damning”
Lady Hallet goes on to say, “This module is about making a permanent record of the impact of Covid-19, lest people forget, and about recommending improvements for the future.”
This inquiry has become the most expensive in history, with total costs now at £203.98m
While public hearings are ending, further module reports are expected to be published in the coming years. These include: healthcare, vaccines and procurement.
We are expected to hear closing statements from lawyers later this afternoon.
Updates 05/03 – 3:10pm
Main takeaways:
The pandemic had long-term mental health effects. Isolation during lockdowns caused an increase in anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Uncertainty of the future worsened stress levels, especially for those with pre-existing mental health conditions.
Families unable to be with loved ones when they died still feel anger and guilt about how the deaths were handled.
Health and care workers experienced extreme pressures.
Frontline staff worked long hours dealing with large numbers of deaths. Staff reported burnout, damaged relationships, and some left their professions.
Vulnerable people were badly affected, including disabled people and children with additional needs. Because of disrupted education and reduced support services.
The report concludes that COVID-19 wasn’t just a public health crisis but a social crisis, leaving many people with long term consequences.
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