Final Terms of Reference published in COVID-19 Public Inquiry

At Slater and Gordon, our experts have been closely following updates in the ongoing Public Inquiry on the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the conclusion of the consultation period in April 2022, the Inquiry has now finally published it’s Full and Final Terms of Reference, and as of 28th June 2022, the Inquiry is now officially open.

It’s very encouraging that the Prime Minister has accepted the vast majority of the recommendations made to him by Baroness Hallett, the Inquiry Chair, resulting in the Inquiry’s focus being widened out to include matters such as:

• The impact on the mental health and wellbeing of the population, including but not limited to those who were harmed significantly by the pandemic
• The impact on mental health and wellbeing of the bereaved, including post bereavement support
• The impact on children and young people, including health, wellbeing and social care
• education and early years provision
• Safeguarding and support for victims of domestic violence
• Antenatal and postnatal care

This widening of the scope of the Terms of Reference is welcomed by those who’ve highlighted the impact that the pandemic’s had on some of the most vulnerable in our society. This included women and children at risk from harm or abuse, new parents, and expecting mothers who when pregnant were forced to attend hospital appointments alone with limited support in place.

The next step in the Inquiry is likely to see individuals and organisations who wish to do so to invited apply for ‘Core Participant’ status within the Inquiry.

Slater and Gordon is committed to supporting those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in their plight for answers and have recently partnered with Care Campaign For The Vulnerable (CCFTV) in their efforts to campaign for an inquiry.

Our specialist Public Inquiries team has acted for a large number of individuals and organisations in several key and high-profile public inquiries over recent years. This has included victims and survivors of abuse in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), bereaved families in the Manchester Arena Bombing Inquiry, and also of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.