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“Let’s Be Heard”: ALLIANCE Members’ Experiences Reflected in New Report 

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 3rd November 2026

People's COVID-19 experiences show why rights must be better protected in future pandemics and emergencies.

The third thematic volume of Let’s Be Heard, the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry’s public engagement project, has been published. The report draws on the experiences of more than 12,500 people across Scotland about accessing health and social care during the pandemic. 

The publication explores how disruption to services, delays in accessing care and changes to service delivery affected people’s physical health, mental wellbeing and quality of life. It covers a range of experiences across healthcare, social care and community support, including access to maternity and mental health services, care homes, home-based care, and the experiences of unpaid carers and health and social care workers. 

The publication highlights how the pandemic’s impact extended far beyond infection itself. Participants described the impact of disrupted services on caring relationships, access to community support and people’s confidence in health and social care systems. The report also identifies lessons for the future around communication, continuity of care, workforce support and ensuring people can access the healthcare, social care and community support they need during emergencies 

Many of the themes highlighted in the publication reflect evidence previously shared by the ALLIANCE throughout the pandemic, including through our People at the Centre engagement programme on people’s experiences of health and care services, and our work with Engender on access to maternity services, which is featured in the publication. 

Reflecting on the publication, Sara Redmond, Chief Officer of the ALLIANCE, said: 

“The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on people and their access to health and social care. Throughout the pandemic, the ALLIANCE shared people’s experiences, and these are reflected in today’s Let’s Be Heard publication. 

“Experiences such as deaf people being asked to do telephone GP consultations, people facing isolation when using maternity services, and Do Not Attempt CPR orders being put in place against the person’s will were unacceptable. We hope through sharing these stories, lessons can be learned to help ensure peoples human rights are better respected and protected in planning and preparedness for any future pandemic.” 

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