Age Scotland joins calls for public inquiry into handling of COVID-19 pandemic

Age Scotland is among leading organisations who have united to urge the Scottish Government to conduct a public inquiry into Scotland’s handling of the pandemic.

Co-signed by 22 organisations across civil society, a joint letter to the First Minister calls for an inquiry to begin urgently, seeking clarity over whether human rights of various groups were breached as the country responded to COVID-19.

MSPs voted in November to approve a judicial inquiry but, as the first anniversary of lockdown looms, progress on this decision is yet to be made.

Chief Executive of Age Scotland, Brian Sloan, said:

“It is important that we see a public inquiry of this kind. We have repeatedly stressed that the only way to ensure mistakes are never repeated is to investigate, identify and learn from them. Now, with the first anniversary of lockdown on the horizon, we believe this process should begin as soon as possible.

“A public inquiry is an important and necessary step to make clear to the nation what happened, why certain decisions were made and what will change in the future as a result. Carrying out investigations in interim phases will help shed light on areas of most urgent concern, while involving those with lived experience will help ensure credibility.

“The virus has taken a heavy toll on people of all ages but for older people it has been particularly harsh. We have heard first-hand their concerns over rights violations, access to fair and equal medical treatment, inappropriate use of do not attempt resuscitation orders, the transfer of COVID-positive patients into care homes, and how physical and mental health has been affected by policy decisions to name but a few. These issues and the impact they have had must be a major consideration at the heart of this inquiry.

“As care homes, and social care more broadly, have been so central to the national response to COVID-19, with high death rates and the impact on the wellbeing of residents so significant, investigation into whether the rights of care home residents were breached is vital.

“It’s clear that we are still in the middle of this fight against COVID-19 and the national focus should remain on that ongoing recovery, but this cannot wait until we are well clear of it. Work should begin as soon as possible as it’s vital this does not get buried and memory is fresh.

“There are still many unanswered questions regarding Scotland’s handling of the pandemic, as is visible by the number of organisations supporting this call to action, and we owe it to the loved ones of those who sadly lost their lives to secure answers.”

Read the letter to the First Minister.