WQ86518 (e) Tabled on 03/11/2022

Will the Minister explain why NHS Wales did not make an application for core participant status in module 1 of the UK COVID-19 inquiry, given that applications were made by the NHS in England and Scotland?

Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services | Answered on 10/11/2022

“NHS Wales” is not a legal entity. “NHS Wales” is commonly used to collectively refer to local health boards, trusts and special health authorities and those who they contract with to provide a range of services. The body which has overarching responsibility for policy direction and oversight of planning and delivery for the NHS in Wales is the Welsh Government, namely the Department of Health and Social Services. Welsh Government did apply for, and was designated, core participant status for Module 1 of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry.

Public Health Wales also applied for, and was designated, core participant status for Module 1.

Welsh Government and individual NHS organisations in Wales will continue to consider the appropriateness of applying for core participant status as and when the detailed scope of each module is announced, and modules opened for applications.