FIRST Minister Mark Drakeford is scheduled to appear before the UK Covid inquiry today to provide evidence on Wales’ preparedness for the coronavirus. This follows the questioning of Sir Frank Atherton, Wales’ top medical official, and Dr Andrew Goodall, the former NHS Wales boss.
During Monday’s session, Dr Atherton faced rigorous questioning regarding Wales’ readiness for the pandemic. The inquiry presented documents from before the outbreak that revealed his concerns about the preparedness of care homes for viral outbreaks and the arrangements for antivirals. The full updates from Dr Atherton’s evidence can be found below.
Dr Goodall, who now serves as Wales’ top civil servant, also faced inquiries about the division of responsibilities between Wales and Westminster. He is set to continue his evidence on Tuesday morning.
Comparisons were drawn to Scotland’s former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who appeared before the inquiry last week. Sturgeon openly admitted that Scotland had “no plan” to tackle the spread of Covid. She argued that her government was compelled to allocate “significant resources” in anticipation of a no-deal Brexit, leaving them with limited options.
This stage of the inquiry specifically examines the adequacy of pandemic planning. Decision-making at all government levels will be scrutinized to identify lessons that can be learned.
Bereaved families in Wales have voiced their concerns during the inquiry, accusing Welsh ministers of a “catastrophic failure” to plan for such emergencies. Kirsten Heaven, representing The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru, emphasized that the people of Wales still suffer from the “trauma due to the devastation caused by Covid-19” and feel let down by the government. She stated, “They have experienced firsthand what they consider to be the catastrophic failure of the Welsh Government to adequately prepare for and respond to a pandemic in Wales.” The full statement from the bereaved families can be found in the first day of the inquiry’s report.
Unlike Scotland, Wales has not launched its own inquiry. Ms Heaven expressed the families’ disappointment with what they perceive as an insufficient response from the Welsh Government. Additionally, Vaughan Gething, who served as health minister until May 2021, will also provide evidence in the inquiry.
