Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ALLIANCE has called consistently for an independent, rights based inquiry to take place without delay.

In February 2021, we signed a joint civil society letter to the First Minister calling for a public inquiry into Scotland’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also asked the Scottish Government to commission an independent, person centred inquiry in our manifesto for the 2021 Scottish Parliament Election.

In October 2021 we published a briefing recommending key issues to be included in the remit of the Inquiry, and how it should be done to ensure that people are at the centre and everyone’s voices are heard. We called for human rights and social care to be prioritised and explicitly embedded within the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.

In 2022, the ALLIANCE was granted core participant status in the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry. The ALLIANCE will represent third sector organisations, disabled people, people living with long term conditions and unpaid carers in relation to:

• the design and delivery of a vaccination strategy
• the requirement for shielding and associated assistance programmes, provided or supported by public agencies
• the provision of healthcare services and social care support, including the management and support of staff and the recognition, involvement and support of unpaid carers.

In early 2023 the ALLIANCE responded to a Rule 8 notice from the Inquiry requesting evidence and documents relating to the handling of COVID-19 in Scotland.

You can find out more about core participant status on the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry website.

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The COVID-19 pandemic had had a profound and disproportionate impact on third sector health and social care organisations, disabled people, people living with long term conditions, unpaid carers, and other marginalised groups.

Since March 2020, the ALLIANCE has engaged with members and partners to understand the impact that the pandemic has had on their lives. We regularly respond to consultation responses, submit briefings, and engage with the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament to ensure that the voices of lived experience are included in decision making.

Recovery from COVID-19 presents an opportunity to learn from the issues and challenges that have been illuminated in the health and social care sector. The ALLIANCE is working to use that learning to positively influence policy and practice moving forward.

To find out more about our work on COVID-19 and Long Covid, contact Rob Gowans, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at rob.gowans@alliance-scotland.org.uk

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In June 2022, the ALLIANCE and CHSS published a new research project, carried out by Dr Emma Miller, into people’s experiences accessing social support for Long Covid in Scotland.

The project aimed to build understanding of the life circumstances of people with Long Covid in Scotland, as well as their experiences of accessing social support.

In January 2022, the ALLIANCE and CHSS published a call for participants to participate in the research. The research draws on the experiences of 32 people, shared through 22 individual interviews and three focus groups. Each participant has been given a pseudonym in the report, and easily identifiable details removed.

The completed report makes recommendations for development of support based on people’s lived experience, and is available here.

Any questions

If you have any questions you can contact Rob Gowans, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at rob.gowans@alliance-scotland.org.uk or Gillian McElroy, Senior Policy Officer at gillian.mcelroy@alliance-scotland.org.uk.

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