Home >News>Update on requests to attend Health and Social Care Impact Hearings

Update on requests to attend Health and Social Care Impact Hearings

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

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has announced details of its first and second weeks of hearings on the health and social care impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During the first two weeks, the Inquiry will sit on Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25, Friday 27 and Tuesday 31 October, the morning of Wednesday 1 November, and Thursday 2 November, beginning at 10am and finishing no later than 4.30pm.  

The Inquiry will work to the following timetable, subject to change: 

Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 October: 

  • Opening submissions from core participants who have been granted Leave to Appear and who wish to make a submission.  

Friday 27 October: 

  • Morning - Scottish Covid Bereaved organisational statement and an individual statement 

  • Afternoon - Care Home Relatives Scotland organisational statement 

Tuesday 31 October: 

  • Morning - Alzheimer's Scotland organisational statement 

  • Afternoon - British Geriatric Society organisational statement 

Wednesday 1 November: 

  • Morning - The Alliance organisational statement and Glasgow Disability Alliance organisational statement 

Thursday 2 November: 

  • Morning - Scottish Women’s Rights Organisations organisational statement 

  • Afternoon - Long Covid Kids organisational statement 

Space at George House, 126 George Street, Edinburgh, the Inquiry’s venue for Health and Social Care Impact Hearings, is limited so there may be times when it will not be possible to accommodate everyone wishing to attend impact hearings at this venue.  

On sitting days, the Inquiry is providing dedicated space at Regus Edinburgh Princes Street, 83 Princes St, Edinburgh, in which a broadcast of the proceedings can be watched on the Inquiry’s YouTube channel  

A large viewing room is available for use by core participants, any legal or lay representatives who cannot be accommodated in the hearing room, and members of the public. This space is less formal than the hearing room and self-service refreshments will be available all day. Advance reservation is required for spaces in the viewing room, and the process for requesting a space is advised below.  

The Inquiry is also providing a quiet breakout room for any core participants or members of the public who are upset by proceedings and need to take time out of the viewing room. 

CRUSE Scotland bereavement counsellors will be available to offer support at both venues.  

Requests to Attend either the hearing room or the viewing room should be submitted using the form below by 5pm on 17 October 2023 and emailed to hearingsandwitnesses@covid19inquiry.scot. 

The Inquiry will contact you in relation to any request to attend no later than 18 October 2023.  

The Inquiry is committed to being trauma-informed and person-centred, and the Hearings and Witnesses Team welcomes feedback in relation to attendance at hearings. Any queries or feedback you may have in relation to this process can be sent to hearingsandwitnesses@covid19inquiry.scot.