Module 3 of the UK Covid 19 Inquiry opened today. It will be looking into the impact of the pandemic on health systems in the UK. We always new that coming to terms with the horror of what happened in hospitals, and in the homes of those who were unable to access life saving care would be distressing. But, if handled correctly, the Inquiry’s investigation should have the potential to save lives in the future. 

That is why it is so worrying that the UK Covid 19 Inquiry has failed to call more than two family witnesses to give evidence. We know what went wrong on the frontline better than anyone, which is why our lawyers have urged the Inquiry to investigate scandals and failures, such as the widespread use of Do Not Resuscitate Orders, ambulance shortages and Covid 19 transmission in hospital, as well as the factors that led to so many people dying at home, without receiving the care they deserved. Answering these questions, and many more, will be key to keeping the public safe when the next pandemic hits, but it is hard to understand how the Inquiry hopes to do so without hearing from those with first hand experiences of exactly what went wrong and how. 

Covid 19 Bereaved Families have also been excluded from module 8, looking into the impact of the pandemic on children and young people.Our campaign represents far too many families who have suffered the loss of a child or young person, and countless more families in which children have suffered as a result of a loved one’s death. It is harder to think of any greater impact on children and young people than the risk of death and bereavement, and yet this experience won’t be recognised in Module 8. 

We know that our stories will save lives, and we won’t stop fighting to make sure the Inquiry learns lessons from our loss. Today we held a press conference in which our proposed witnesses shared their experiences directly with the press, showing exactly how crucial our insights are to improving systems for the future. We will continue throughout module 3 to raise awareness of what the government and the Inquiry must do to keep us all safe, and of what is at risk if they do not. 

Your support helps make our message louder, clearer and more urgent: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-hold-the-government-to-account

Thank you. 

James Telfer, whose mother Jacqueline was placed under a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation Order without consultation with her family, having contracted Covid 19 in A&E.