Covid bereaved criticise NI executive for lack of engagement

Some of the families of people who died during the pandemic have criticised the Northern Ireland Executive for not engaging with them following the first stage of the UK Covid Inquiry.

The first part of recommendations from the inquiry were sent to the executive last July.

Families have said they sent four letters to the executive in the past seven months to request a meeting to discuss them.

The group said these requests were unsuccessful up until Tuesday evening, when it was confirmed they could meet with the first and deputy first ministers on Monday.

The chair of the inquiry found the UK government and devolved nations failed their citizens as they planned for the wrong pandemic.

Brenda Doherty's mother Ruth Burke died during the pandemic. She will mark the fifth anniversary of her death in March 2025.

She said the lack of engagement from the NI Executive has been "very frustrating".

"We know that we could support [them], it's not about taking away it's about adding to," she said.

"We can add value. Everybody can make mistakes, things can go wrong but you have to learn from them and I really don't believe, looking at the framework, there has been any learning.

"I don't want anybody to experience what our family experienced. Five years on and I miss my mummy."

Ms Doherty said Monday's meeting with the executive is "just the start".

"It can't just be a token gesture, the proof will be in the pudding and how we move forward."

Last month, the Northern Ireland Executive published its response to what's known as the 'Covid-19 Module 1 Report Recommendations' that examined the UK's resilience and preparedness for the pandemic.

Martina Ferguson's mother Ursula Derry died during the coronavirus pandemic.

She said executive's action plan, "lacks detail".

"There's no next steps in terms of progress and how we work towards them in terms of a timeline".

Ms Ferguson described the executive's actions as "really disappointing".

"We met political leaders in July 2022. They know we exist, they knew from 2022 that we are here to help. We have lived experience and that should not be underestimated".

She also cited the need for "legislative change" in regard to rules around visiting family in hospital and care homes.

"We need legal requirement for families, so they are allowed to visit their loved ones in care homes. Because at the end of the day, that is their home."

Enda McGarrity, solicitor for Northern Ireland Bereaves Families for Justice, said families would have expected to have been consulted and have a meaningful role in forming the executive's action plan.

"They were disappointed that requests for meetings had been unfulfilled," he said.

The families "now welcome" that they will meet the first and deputy first ministers next week, he said.

"A key concern is that the bereaved families have lived experience of the worst of what happened during the pandemic.

"They should not only meet with the leadership because they have suffered most but also because they have gained valuable insights from their experiences and from the inquiry."

By not meeting with families sooner, he said, "it creates a perception that that experience isn't valued".

"It's better late than never... They are happy now that they will have an opportunity to meet with them," he added.

"These families are part of a group that they never wanted to be a part of, they've joined together and campaigned for the inquiry, they participate in the inquiry which is often a difficult process in itself and now they're at the point of trying to assist the government to implement the recommendations."

The recommendations submitted in July 2024 from the inquiry are the first of 10 modules.

Mr McGarrity said he expects families to be consulted earlier in future modules.

The Northern Ireland Executive have been contacted for a response.