Annex A > Chapter 1 - The Background to and Conduct of the Public Inquiry > The Terms of Reference > Secretary to the Inquiry and Secretariat

Secretary to the Inquiry and Secretariat

11 The role of the Inquiry's Secretariat was to support the Chairman and Panel in the planning and management of the Inquiry. This involved handling all non-legal aspects of the Inquiry's work. The Secretariat, for example, commissioned expert (including statistical) evidence and advice; organised the Clinical Case Note Review (CCNR); and planned and managed Phase Two of the Inquiry. The Inquiry's Secretary acted as secretary to meetings of the Panel.

12 The Secretariat was responsible for all practical and administrative arrangements. This included the project to find and commission an Inquiry office and hearing chamber; the organisation of IT support; the day-to-day management of the hearing chamber and matters concerning staffing, contractors and the Inquiry's finances. The Secretariat included a communications team responsible for liaising with the press and media and responding to their enquiries; producing regular newsletters for families; and for the management of the Inquiry's website. The Secretariat commissioned a video as a visual record of the Inquiry. It includes information about the Inquiry's procedure and the physical arrangements for the hearings. Copies will be available in due course and may be borrowed from the library of the Department of Health, HM Treasury Solicitor or the library of the Cabinet Office.

13 The Inquiry Secretary was Una O'Brien, a member of the Senior Civil Service; the Assistant Secretary was Zena Muth, also a civil servant. The size of the Secretariat varied depending on the stage of the Inquiry but, throughout the public stages of the Inquiry, it included between 15 and 20 members of staff.

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