Covid-19 deaths of care home residents: what does justice look like? (Webinar)

Covid-19 deaths of care home residents: what does justice look like?  

Monday 21st September 2020 | 16:30 - 18:00

More than 20,000 people in care homes in England have died of Covid-19, and many more have died of other causes because they were not provided healthcare. In other countries a third to half Covid-19 deaths have been in care homes. These staggering numbers leave behind grieving families and friends who are asking why was this allowed to happen. There is growing anger that many deaths were preventable. Families are concerned that the government has not learned lessons so as to protect care home residents in a ‘second wave’.

This webinar will be accessible for bereaved families, care home staff, trade unions and interested others such as social workers and lawyers. Barristers from Doughty Street Chambers and invited outside speakers will hold an webinar where they will discuss:

1. Why was the virus allowed to rampage through care homes?
2. What was the experience of older people with dementia in care homes?
3. How were people with learning disabilities and/or autism in care homes supported?
4. What was the impact on BAME staff and residents?
5. What challenges do bereaved families face accessing justice?
6. What are the differences between an inquest, a statutory inquiry, a parliamentary inquiry and a civil claim?
7. What can members of the public do to support bereaved families?

The panellists are:

Alexis Quinn; Author of best-selling memoir Unbroken, autistic campaigner and human rights activist

Amos Waldman; Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers

Aswini Weereratne QC; Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers

Sophy Miles; Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers

Veronica Gray; Deputy Chief Executive of Hourglass

Dr Subhajit Basu, School of Law, University of Leeds

The panel will be chaired by Dr Oliver Lewis; Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers

If you would like to attend the webinar, make a donation to the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice if you can.

Watch the recording below.