We have now closed the Core Participant application window for Module 3, the Inquiry’s third investigation, which will look at the impact of the pandemic on healthcare.
Module 3 will examine how healthcare systems responded to the pandemic and the impact on systems and services, including on patients, doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Baroness Heather Hallett, the Inquiry Chair, will carefully review and determine the applications in due course. The Inquiry will then inform applicants of the outcome of their applications and provide them with the Chair’s determination.
A Core Participant is an individual, organisation or institution that has a specific interest in the Inquiry’s work and has a formal role to play in the Inquiry process. Core Participant status is granted under Rule 5 of the Inquiry Rules 2006.
Individuals and organisations do not need Core Participant status to be called to give evidence to the Inquiry.
The first preliminary hearing for Module 3 will take place on 28 February 2023. During the hearing, there will be an update from the Inquiry Counsel on Core Participant applications and the Inquiry will set out in more detail the plan for this module.
The Inquiry will begin hearing evidence in Spring 2023 for its first investigation into the UK’s pandemic preparedness and resilience.
More information will be published on the Inquiry website in the coming weeks.