The Covid Inquiry Podcast

The Covid Inquiry was back this week after a short break in hearings, to begin taking evidence about the vaccine rollout and the development of drugs to treat the disease. Jim Reed reports.

This week the Covid Inquiry concluded its module looking at the way the NHS handled the pandemic. Sir Sajid Javid, who was Health Secretary from 2021, gave evidence on the decisions made around mandatory vaccinations of frontline staff. The week ended with testimony from bereaved families, with a focus on the restrictions placed on hospital visiting hours. Jim Reed reports.

The Covid Inquiry takes evidence on the state of the NHS during the pandemic, with testimony from former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan, and former Scottish Health Minister Jeane Freeman. Jim Reed reports.

The Covid Inquiry hears evidence about bed capacity during the pandemic. Chief Executive of NHS England, Amanda Pritchard, explains the decision to open Nightingale Hospitals and their limitations. Jim Reed reports.

The Covid Inquiry continues its examination of the way that the NHS responded to the pandemic. This week Justice Hallett heard from Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England, and Jenny Harries, the former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, along with senior frontline staff. Jim Reed reports.

Jim Reed reports on another week of evidence at the Covid Inquiry. This week the focus was on those who were shielding during the pandemic and the experience of people with learning disabilities.

The Covid Inquiry looks at how maternity services operated during the pandemic, as well as the experiences of ethnic minority healthcare staff and those shielding. Later in the week Justice Hallett heard testimony about the difficult choices made in intensive care, and the lasting impact on the people who made them. Jim Reed reports.

Jim Reed reports from another week of evidence at the Covid Inquiry. This week the session was shortened by illness - but in evidence given by paramedics, intensive care doctors and other frontline staff, the Inquiry heard about the difficult decisions made during the height of the pandemic.

Jim Reed reports from another week of evidence at the Covid Inquiry. This week senior health leaders described the scenes in intensive care units across the country, as frontline staff struggled through shortages of protective clothing and bed space. Alongside Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, the Inquiry heard from Professor Kevin Fong, former national clinical adviser in emergency preparedness at NHS England.

The public inquiry into the pandemic continues to take evidence about how the NHS responded - including crucial decisions over nursing ratios and prohibiting families from visiting patients. Jim Reed reports.