The family of an Abergavenny man who died from Covid after being admitted to hospital for a gall bladder infection have joined a group fighting for bereaved relatives calling for an independent inquiry into the pandemic.

The group was set up for families bereaved by decisions taken by the Welsh government before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.

They want an independent inquiry and review into whether deaths in Wales could have been prevented.

Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru was set up three months ago by members of the public who lost loved ones during the pandemic in Wales.

In a statement, the group said: “Many of our loved ones acquired Covid-19 whilst in hospital during the second wave, and many were sent home without being retested; spreading infection into the community and subsequently dying.

“We feel that our loved ones were not treated with the right care and dignity.

‘‘Communication was poor or non-existent, with loved ones dying confused and alone. Lessons most definitely have not been learnt.”

Anna-Louise Marsh-Rees is one of the members who helped set up the group after her father Ian Marsh-Rees sadly died last October of Covid pneumonia.

Having been sheltered for seven months from Covid, Ian was exposed to the infection last October.

Anna-Louise and her family believe his stay in hospital resulted in him catching Covid. Ian was subsequently sent home but he deteriorated rapidly then was readmitted a week later with covid pneumonia and died three days later.

Following Ian’s death, Anna-Louise and her family sent questions into the NHS complaints procedure Putting Things Right but were left frustrated and disappointed with responses that they claim were inaccurate, contradictory and incomplete.

Anna-Louise added: “My father was a gentleman, kind, selfless, funny, adventurous and positive.

He always saw ‘the best’ in people and had time to listen to them, and adored his wife of 57 years, Valerie and would do anything for me, my sister Nicola and grandson Zak.

“Families should not have to go through what we have been through to get answers to basic questions- the complaints process needs to be improved and independent.

‘‘In Scotland health boards work collaboratively with families to make changes based on lessons learned.

‘’Why not here in Wales?”

Members of the group met with Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford on October 7 to discuss their objectives and plans for the inquiry.

The First Minister confirmed to the group that he would be seeking assurances from the UK government that Wales would be properly scrutinised in the UK inquiry starting next spring.

The group plan to meet with him again in December to receive updates on the progress of the potential inquiry.

In a statement, Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru said: “A Wales -specific inquiry would provide an independent review to investigate if deaths in Wales could have been prevented.

“As the First Minister has clearly pointed out throughout the pandemic, decisions in relation to the rules surrounding Covid-19 in Wales are made in Wales.

‘‘He has been keen to highlight the often-significant differences of those rules between England and Wales.

“Decisions taken in Wales, which have had an impact on the people of Wales should therefore be scrutinised in Wales.”

Monmouth MS and Shadow Minister for Finance Peter Fox has echoed the group’s calls for a Wales-wide inquiry to be launched without any further delay, as reported in last week’s Chronicle.

Mr Fox met with Covid victims’ family members who were in the Senedd calling for the inquiry, and said: “We desperately need a Wales-wide inquiry.”