Appendix I: public and statutory inquiries

Records form an important part of the evidence in inquiries. Inquiries take into account a huge range of records and what is required can vary by inquiry. When an inquiry is conducted, the inquiry team will issue detailed guidance setting out what types of records they are interested in. If you have any records that an inquiry requests, you must produce them or explain why you cannot produce them.

Before any records relating to inquiries are destroyed, you must check with the inquiries team that they are no longer required. If you are in doubt regarding records that may or may not be of use for an inquiry, you must retain them until there is clear instruction from the inquiry.

Before considering the selection of records for permanent preservation under the Public Records Act 1958 (refer to section 5), you should discuss any inquiries with the relevant PoD to take account of exceptional local circumstances and defunct record types not listed here.

At the time of writing there are four ongoing or imminent Inquiries which health and social care organisations need to be aware of as they may request records and information:

• The Infected Blood Inquiry - further information about the records required can be found on their website
• The COVID-19 Inquiry - The Transformation Directorate of NHS England has produced some guidance and FAQs on this Inquiry
• Lucy Letby Inquiry – the government has announced in August 2023 that there will be a statutory Inquiry into Lucy Letby’s actions, following the conclusion of her trial
• Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by the David Fuller case – there is an ongoing independent inquiry into the actions of David Fuller. This was established in November 2021