What is the UK Covid-19 Inquiry?
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is an independent public inquiry set up to examine the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and learn lessons for the future. The Inquiry is Chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett, a former Court of Appeal judge.
The Inquiry has announced three modules so far, the third of which is looking at the healthcare system.
The EPT is Core Participant with 12 other pregnancy, baby, and parenting charities: Aching Arms; Baby Lifeline; Bliss; Group B Strep Support; ICP Support; The Lullaby Trust; Miscarriage Association; National Childbirth Trust; Pelvic Partnership; Pregnancy Sickness Support; Tommy’s; and Twins Trust.
You can read the press release from the 13 pregnancy, baby, and parenting charities here.
What is a Core Participant?
A Core Participant is a person, institution, or organisation that has a specific interest in the work of the Inquiry and has a formal role. Core Participants have special rights in the Inquiry process. These include receiving documentation, being represented and making legal submissions, suggesting questions and receiving advance notice of the Inquiry’s report.
Why this Inquiry is important
At the hearing yesterday, these charities told the Inquiry how pregnancy care as well as maternity, neonatal and postnatal care were dramatically disrupted during the pandemic. The Inquiry heard how disruption to services led to pregnant women and people attending clinics, scans, and hospital appointments alone, with many receiving the devastating news that their pregnancy had ended, without anyone with them for support.
Munira Oza, Director of The EPT said, “We, at The EPT, heard many heart-breaking stories from women and people experiencing ectopic pregnancy during the pandemic and its far-reaching impacts. Going through an ectopic pregnancy is hard enough and having to endure the condition during the pandemic alone, added even further difficulties. We also heard from healthcare professionals who found giving the bad news of an ectopic pregnancy diagnosis and providing care that people needed highly challenging in very pressured circumstances. It is vital to hear what people who experienced ectopic pregnancy and the healthcare professionals who cared for them had to face and get through. We hope that lessons are learned to shape policy in the future so that impacts on people affected by pregnancy loss, including ectopic pregnancy, are considered.”
For more information
The Inquiry will publish updates on its work, including future hearing dates, and you can read the Inquiry’s newsletters. The EPT aims to share updates through our website and social media channels, as and when possible.
Supporting you
We understand that reading about the pandemic and thinking about and sharing your experience of ectopic pregnancy may be difficult and bring up many complex emotions. If you require any support, please do get in touch with us.
Every Story Matters - Sharing your experience of pregnancy loss during the pandemic
In order to fully understand the impact of the pandemic on the UK population, the Inquiry is inviting the public to share their experiences of the pandemic by launching Every Story Matters – an opportunity for everyone that wishes to, to contribute to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry by sharing their experience, in as much or as little detail as you wish.
It’s worth noting that participation in the Inquiry requires you to be 18 years or older.
Find out more and share your story here.
