November 03, 2026 - 223 views
An independent review is to examine whether Wales is better prepared to deal with a future pandemic or national emergency, following the lessons learned from Covid-19.
The Welsh Government says the review will provide independent assurance that recommendations made following the pandemic have been acted upon and that improvements have been made to public services.
Announcing the plans in the Senedd, Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution Dafydd Trystan Davies said the review would be proportionate and targeted.
It will focus particularly on health and adult social care, two services which were central to Wales' response to the pandemic and which were the subject of significant concern among bereaved families and others affected.
The review will be led by independent chair Professor Daniel Wincott, from Cardiff University's School of Law and Politics, supported by an expert panel with experience in healthcare, social care and public health.
Rather than repeat the work of the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry, the Welsh review will draw on evidence already gathered, including published findings and previous investigations.
It will consider whether recommendations from the UK inquiry, committee reports and resilience exercises have been properly implemented.
Where there are gaps in the evidence, particularly around Wales' own experience of the pandemic, the panel will be able to examine those issues in greater detail.
Professor Wincott said the pandemic had touched every individual and community in Wales, with many people still living with its consequences.
He said the review would be independent and would look specifically at the Welsh experience, identifying gaps in the evidence and lessons for the future.
The Welsh Government has also said it wants the experiences of people directly affected by Covid-19 to be reflected in the work, including those who lost loved ones.
The review will publish its findings in stages, taking account of the UK inquiry's reporting schedule, with the aim of completing its work by March 2029.
The Government says the findings will help strengthen future pandemic planning, improve transparency and accountability, and ensure Wales is better prepared for another major public health emergency.
