Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry's Module 3 Report, published on 19 March, on the impact of intensive care work on staff wellbeing; and whether they plan to introduce an intensive care workforce covenant to support retention and long-term psychological support.

The Government recognises that the pandemic had a profound and lasting impact across society, and its effects were felt particularly acutely within the health and social care system. We are deeply grateful to everyone across health and social care in the four nations who contributed to the country's response.

The Government is committed to learning the lessons of the COVID-19 Inquiry and we are investing in and reforming the health service to ensure it is fit for the future and available for people when they need it. We will consider the inquiry’s findings and recommendations carefully and respond in full in due course.

The health and wellbeing of all National Health Service staff is a top priority, and we want to ensure that there is better support for staff in the future.

NHS England offers a range of health and wellbeing resources, as well as the National Staff Mental Health Treatment Service to provide support for those with more complex mental health needs.

The 10-Year Health Plan announced the introduction of Staff Treatment Hubs that will focus on mental health and musculoskeletal issues, the two main reasons for sickness absence in the NHS. In addition, a series of staff standards for modern employment will be launched in April 2026. These will tackle the issues that really matter to staff such as support to work healthily and flexibly, and tackling violence, racism, and sexual harassment in the workplace.