Latest News

Let’s Be Heard, the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry’s listening project, has published its first report. 

Due to Lord Brailsford being unwell, Inquiry hearings originally scheduled for Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 November have been postponed.

Dr Alexandra Anderson, Head of Let’s Be Heard, the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry’s listening project, is encouraging people across Scotland to share their experiences of the pandemic before the project’s national engagement phase ends on 20 December 2023.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has announced the timetable for its upcoming Health and Social Care Impact Hearings, and is now accepting Requests to Attend.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry is now accepting Requests to Attend for the third and fourth weeks of its Health and Social Care Impact Hearings. 

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has published several new documents and policies that relate to academic research and the Health and Social Care Impact Hearings. 

Information relating to the hearing and viewing venues, and what witnesses called to give oral evidence can expect, is now on the website.

Information for core participant members/members of the public wishing to attend. 

The Inquiry has published a General Restriction Order which applies to witness statements, documents and other evidence shared by the Inquiry with core participants and others during the course of its investigations and prior to publication of the material by the Inquiry.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has published its protocol and application form for witness expenses.

Lord Brailsford, Chair of the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry, has met Dr Anders Tegnell, former State Epidemiologist of Sweden, to help the Inquiry understand how other countries responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ian Duddy, Chief Executive to the Inquiry, provides an update on the Inquiry's progress and looks forward to the start of public impact hearings in October. 

Applications will be open from 20 September to close of business on 29 September 2023.

The latest edition of our newsletter features an introduction to the Inquiry's Chief Executive, the latest on the upcoming impact hearings, and more information about long COVID forming part of the Inquiry's investigations.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry’s preliminary hearing will be confined to one day. 

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has confirmed the venue for its health and social care impact hearings, which will begin in October 2023.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry is inviting requests to attend its preliminary hearing on 28 and 29 August in Edinburgh.  

The Inquiry has published a commissioned report from an independent expert on the scientific and medical understanding of coronavirus and COVID-19 as it existed up until the end of 2022.

The Chair of the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has been granted leave to intervene in the claim for judicial review brought by the Cabinet Office against the Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry relating to the recovery of documents.

The Inquiry is inviting members of the public to attend its first public event - a ‘scene-setting’ presentation on the epidemiology of COVID-19.

Ian Duddy is to join the Inquiry from the Scottish Human Rights Commission, where he is currently Chair.  

Lord Brailsford has determined that certain matters relating to long COVID fall within the Inquiry’s formal remit.

Let’s Be Heard is the main channel for people who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022 to share their experiences with the Inquiry, tell us how those experiences impacted on them and people they know, and highlight any lessons they believe should be learned so we are better prepared in future. 

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has reopened the core participant and funding application process for its health and social care investigations. Applications can be submitted until 11.59pm on 14 April 2023.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has announced a thematic approach to its hearings and investigations, prioritising people most impacted by the pandemic in Scotland.   

The latest edition of our newsletter features the official name of the Inquiry's listening project, how we are working with the UK Covid-19 Inquiry to avoid duplicating work, and a look at the ways in which you can get involved with our Inquiry. 

An agreement has been published setting out how the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry and the UK Covid-19 Inquiry will work together. A memorandum of understanding has been signed by both inquiries and formalises the process. 

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has today launched its application process for those wishing to claim funding from the Inquiry to cover legal expenses.  

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has signed a lease for premises at Waverley Gate, Edinburgh.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has published the list of individuals, groups and organisations granted core participant status by Lord Brailsford, the Inquiry Chair.

Lord Brailsford, Chair of the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry, has undertaken an initial series of meetings with bereaved families and relatives of care home residents in Scotland.  

Lord Brailsford, Chair of the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry, has appointed Stuart Gale KC as Co-lead Counsel, and Faryma Bahrami, Mary Ellen Stewart and Alan Caskie as Junior Counsel to the Inquiry.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has launched the first phase of its listening project pilot activities.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney has announced to the Scottish Parliament the appointment of Lord Brailsford as the new judicial Chair of the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry. 

The latest edition of our newsletter features more information and updates on the Inquiry continuing its important work pending the appointment of a new Chair, an update on the core participant application status, how we will inform our reports and how we are collaborating with the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

On 19 October 2022 Lady Poole met Sir Jack Beatson, chair of the Independent Commission on UK Public Health Emergency Powers.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry team remains resolutely committed to independently investigating the devolved strategic response to the pandemic in Scotland, and we are continuing our important work on behalf of the public pending the appointment of a new Chair.

Lady Poole, Chair to the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has tendered her resignation and issued the following statement. 

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has held a staff training day for all working in the Inquiry. 

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry extends its sincere condolences to The King and the family of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, following the announcement of her death at Balmoral on 8 September 2022. 

Welcome to the first Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry newsletter, allowing people to follow our progress and engage with us in the months and years ahead.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has today launched its application process for those wishing to be designated as a core participant.

The letters have been sent to a range of organisations or individuals that may hold information relevant to the Inquiry's investigation. 

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has published a new Protocol on public access to documents. 
 

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has today (15 June 2022) published the introductory research commissioned as part of the planning process in the early stages of the Inquiry establishment.

On 9 June 2022 it was announced in the Scottish Parliament that additional matters would be added to the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.

As part of the planning process, the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry commissioned introductory research from academic institutions including the Universities of Dundee, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier, Glasgow, Highlands and Islands, and Birmingham.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has been set up and is officially launched.