FAMILIES left bereaved by Covid-19 are suing the government over its alleged failure to prevent the deaths in care homes and hospitals early in the pandemic.

They argue that thousands of lives were lost because the government failed to protect them under the Human Rights Act.

Law firm Leigh Day, representing the plaintiffs, said the cases concern 30 deaths near the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, when patients infected with the virus were being transferred from hospitals into care homes, including six who were couples.

The lawyers have issued claims for damages in the High Court against the Health Secretary, individual care homes and hospital trusts for loss of life, personal injuries, pain and suffering, anxiety, distress and feelings of injustice.

The claims follow a High Court ruling last year that government policies on discharging hospital patients into care homes at the start of the pandemic were “unlawful.”

Leigh Day said the relatives intend to argue that ministers failed to protect their rights because they did not publish procedures, appropriate guidance, policies and rules to be applied by operators of care homes, healthcare settings and hospitals.

Partner Emma Jones said: “We had hoped to try to progress our arguments without being forced to start legal action, but unfortunately not all of the defendants would agree to extending the deadline for formally launching the cases.

“As a result, we have taken the necessary step of issuing these claims to protect the positions of our clients and the loved ones they have lost.

“You cannot underestimate the impact of the tragic loss of life — losing a loved one in such harrowing circumstances — has had on our clients.

“We hope that, through bringing these cases, there will be a full and thorough investigation into the deaths, which might help our clients to feel they have obtained justice for their loved ones.”

Solicitor Beatrice Morgan added: “Our clients believe that the guidance issued by the health secretary in the early weeks of the pandemic led to thousands of unnecessary deaths.

“Many feel strongly that, rather than trying to protect older people during that time, the guidance put their loved ones at an avoidable risk of harm.”

Sean Davies, whose mother died in a care home in April 2020, said families want “answers” and “honesty” from the government.

The government said it could not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.