Inquiry announces dates for next tranche of impact hearings

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry will resume its health and social care impact hearings on 12 March 2024, continuing through to 28 March before a short pause over the Easter break. They are then scheduled to resume the week beginning 15 April and to continue until 31 May 2024.

The Inquiry began its health and social care impact hearings in October 2023 before pausing them for January 2024 while the UK Covid-19 Inquiry holds its Scotland hearings in Edinburgh. 

Earlier this month, the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry announced that Lord Brailsford, the Chair of the Inquiry, had been diagnosed with a kidney tumour and would require surgery. Under the Inquiries Act 2005, public hearings cannot be held without the Chair present, either in person or remotely. The commencement of the next tranche of hearings from 12 March 2024 allows for the Chair’s surgery to take place, followed by a period of recovery. 

The Inquiry regrets any inconvenience to witnesses, core participants and other parties, from the short delay in resuming our hearings in 2024.