UK Covid-19 Inquiry: Module 6 – Care sector (20 October 2026)

Summary

The sixth module of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry examines the impact of the pandemic on the adult social care sector in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The module includes care provided in adult care and residential homes, in people’s own homes by professional carers and unpaid care provided by family members or friends.

It looks at the decisions made by each nation’s government and considers:

• what happened to people living and working in the care sector during the pandemic

• how limiting visits to care homes affected residents and their loved ones

• how decisions to discharge patients to free up hospital beds affected those living and working in care homes.

The module also examines the steps taken in care homes to stop the virus spreading and the care sector’s capacity to respond to the pandemic.

Related reading on the hub:

• UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1: The resilience and preparedness of the United Kingdom

• Covid-19 Inquiry: Module 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Report – Core decision-making and political governance

• Covid-19 Inquiry: Module 3 Report – The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the healthcare systems of the United Kingdom

• UK Covid-19 Inquiry: Module 4 -Vaccines and therapeutics (16 April 2026)

• UK Covid-19 Inquiry: Module 5 – Procurement (14 July 2026)

• Questions around Government governance