UK COVID-19 Inquiry

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:36 pm on 28 March 2023.

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Photo of Heledd Fychan Heledd Fychan Plaid Cymru 1:36, 28 March 2023

Diolch, Prif Weinidog. Following last week's visit to the Senedd by COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru, a number of constituents from South Wales Central who lost loved ones to COVID-19 have contacted me regarding the nosocomial investigation. I understand that the interim report is imminent, but many bereaved families are concerned, as they still haven't heard anything at all in relation to their loved ones, whilst others have received letters telling them that COVID wasn't the cause of death, despite it being on the death certificate. Their understanding is that only a coroner would be able to change the cause of death, yet families are being told this without being presented with any evidence to support the change. So, rather than receive answers about how their relative contracted COVID-19 in hospital, they are now having to fight, once more, for the cause of death to be acknowledged. Can you please confirm what the purpose of these investigations is: learn lessons and provide answers to families, or is it an exercise to try and reduce the official number of COVID deaths in Wales? Surely, this once again illustrates the need for a Wales-specific COVID inquiry.