UK Covid-19 Inquiry – how you can help

Help us change the terms of reference to include investigating the support given bereaved people.

Shockingly, support for bereaved people has not been included in the terms of reference of the upcoming UK Covid-19 inquiry. It’s crucial that the inquiry investigates the support given to bereaved people over the past two years and the role of Government in funding that support. We need to learn the lessons of the pandemic, and make sure we are prepared for future pandemics and major incidents.

We have until 7th April to get this changed, and we need your help. Please could you take a few moments to do one or all of the following:

  • Reply to the public consultation and ask that ‘support for bereaved people’ is included in the inquiry terms of reference under the section ‘The response of the health and care sector across the UK’. Some suggested text is given below.
  • Email or write to your MP to let them know you are deeply concerned, and ask them to raise it with the Prime Minister (who will be signing off the Terms of Reference). See our draft letter below.
  • Spread the word – tell your friends and family about your concerns, and share our social media posts.

Suggested text for the Terms of Reference Consultation

Here is some suggested wording to adapt for responses to the public consultation questions. Please add any specific information about your own experiences as appropriate.

Under the question ‘Please explain why you think the draft Terms of Reference do not cover all the areas that the Inquiry should address?’

[During the pandemic, my experience was …]

I believe the support offered to bereaved people during the pandemic needs to be investigated by the inquiry and specifically covered in the terms of reference under the section “The response of the health and care sector across the UK”. We need to look at how this support is funded by government and be prepared for future pandemics and incidents.

Under the question ‘Which issues or topics do you think the Inquiry should look at first?’

The Inquiry should prioritise the devastating effect of the pandemic on the family and friends of those who have died. The way we have been forced to grieve in isolation will have long-lasting effects on our ability to recover from this pandemic.

Under the question ‘How should the Inquiry be designed and run to ensure that bereaved people or those who have suffered serious harm or hardship as a result of the pandemic have their voices heard?’

The Inquiry should make sure that it contacts and engages with a representative group of bereaved people. It should make sure that everyone is included. The pandemic has affected some groups disproportionately, and their views need to be heard.

The Inquiry should make sure that there is support available for those who share their experiences, because talking about grief and bereavement is painful, emotionally draining, and potentially traumatic.

Suggested draft letter to an MP

Here is some suggested wording for a letter to your MP. You can find contact details here. Please add any specific information about your experiences as a volunteer or as a bereaved person yourself.

Dear [MP name]

I am writing to you to express my extreme disappointment that the Covid-19 Inquiry’s draft terms of reference does not include an investigation into support for bereaved people.

[During the pandemic, my experience was …]

It has been incredibly difficult for so many to grieve without friends and family around. Without being able to attend a funeral. The impact of this grief will be felt for years to come and it’s imperative that the needs of bereaved people are recognised in this inquiry.

This is not a short term issue. Over a million people have been bereaved by Covid and they, and those bereaved during the pandemic by other causes, have grieved in isolation and will feel the effects for years to come. It’s crucial that the inquiry investigates the support to bereaved people over the past two years, and the role of Government in funding that support. We need to learn the lessons of the pandemic, and make sure we are prepared for future pandemics and major incidents.

That’s why under the section “The response of the health and care sector across the UK”, the draft terms of the Covid-19 inquiry, it must include “Support for bereaved people”.

Please could you raise this issue with the Prime Minister, who has responsibility for the final sign off for the Terms of Reference.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name]

Social Media

Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin and share and like our posts on the issue.

Or adapt the following as appropriate.

We’re extremely disappointed that support for bereaved people has been sidelined in the #Covid19 inquiry’s draft Terms of Reference.

Bereaved people cannot be forgotten.
Here’s how you can help 👇

Bereaved people let down