Covid-19 Inquiry Module 3: What it means for healthcare workers considering a claim.
The publication of Module 3 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry marks a significant moment in understanding how the pandemic impacted healthcare workers across the UK.
Chaired by Baroness Hallett, the Inquiry has been examining the UK’s response to Covid-19 through a series of detailed modules. Module 3, published in March 2026, focuses specifically on healthcare systems across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and provides one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of how frontline workers were affected.
For many healthcare professionals, including paramedics, nurses and ambulance staff, the findings will deeply resonate with them.
At Venus Legal, we are already supporting individuals who contracted Covid-19 through their work and suffered serious, and in some cases life-changing, consequences. For these individuals, Module 3 represents more than a report. It provides important recognition of the risks they faced and the conditions in which they were expected to work.
What did the Inquiry find?
The report sets out a number of key findings which may provide important context in potential claims.
Inadequate PPE and foreseeable risk.
The Inquiry found that personal protective equipment (PPE) was often insufficient, and in some cases, unavailable. Healthcare workers were required to carry out their duties without adequate protection, exposing them to significant risk.
Fit-testing failures had been specifically identified as a foreseeable risk as far back as 2016, when a national expert committee warned that last-minute fit-testing would not work in a pandemic and that a rolling programme was needed. Despite this, it was not fully addressed prior to the pandemic.
Risks faced by ambulance and paramedic staff.
The findings highlight the particular risks faced by ambulance workers and paramedics.
Many reported PPE shortages, reliance on lower-grade masks when attending Covid-positive patients, and working in confined, poorly ventilated environments while in close contact with infectious individuals.
These are factors which may be relevant in claims brought by healthcare workers.
Flawed infection control guidance.
The Inquiry also found that early guidance failed to fully recognise airborne transmission of Covid-19. The Inquiry found that this may have increased the risk to healthcare workers, particularly in high-exposure environments.
Heightened occupational risk.
The report clearly acknowledges that healthcare workers were at a materially greater risk of contracting Covid-19 as a direct result of their roles. This is an important finding when considering the wider context of occupational exposure.
Vaccination and protection failures.
The report also refers to vaccination policy in healthcare settings, although issues relating to vaccines and therapeutics are being considered separately in Module 4 of the Inquiry. We are monitoring those developments closely and will provide further updates as the Inquiry’s work in this area progresses.
The impact of Long Covid.
Module 3 dedicates significant attention to Long Covid, recognising it as a serious condition which, for some individuals, can be long-term and life-changing. With an estimated two million people affected and over 200 recognised symptoms, the report acknowledges the long-term and life-changing impact this can have, particularly for healthcare workers exposed through their employment.
Why these findings matter.
For those considering a claim, one of the most challenging aspects has been understanding the circumstances in which risks arose and whether they could have been reduced.
Module 3 provides a detailed, independent and publicly available account of systemic failings that placed healthcare workers at risk. These findings may assist in understanding the broader context in which employer duties and protections are considered.
While every case will depend on its own facts, the Inquiry helps to clarify the broader context in which these events occurred.
Supporting those affected.
We understand that for many healthcare workers, the impact of Covid-19 did not end when the pandemic subsided.
Some continue to live with ongoing symptoms, reduced ability to work, and significant changes to their day-to-day lives. Others may still be coming to terms with what they experienced during that time.
At Venus Legal, our approach is always centred on the individual. These are complex and often sensitive cases, and we provide clear, supportive and expert guidance throughout the process.
How we can help you.
If you are a healthcare worker who contracted Covid-19 through your work and believe you were not adequately protected, you may be entitled to pursue a claim.
Our team can support you with:
- Understanding your legal options
- Assessing whether you may have a claim
- Gathering evidence and building your case
- Guiding you through each stage of the process
Every case is different, and we will always take the time to understand your circumstances and provide advice tailored to you.
Please note that strict time limits apply to these types of claims. If you think you may have a claim, it is important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible. Do not delay.
