About the Inquiry
This page contains information on the Committee’s work in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus Bill 2019-21 (UK Parliament)
The UK Government introduced the Coronavirus Bill 2019-21 in the House of Commons on 19 March 2020 and the Scottish Government lodged a Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Bill on 20 March 2020.
For full details of the Health and Sport Committee’s consideration of the Bill, including an evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport on 24 March 2020, and our Report, can be found on our Subordinate (Secondary) Legislation and Legislative Consent Memorandum page.
Subordinate Legislation - Scottish Statutory Instruments (SSIs)
Full details of the Health and Sport Committee's consideration of COVID-19 related SSIs can be found on our Subordinate (Secondary) Legislation and Legislative Consent Memorandums page.
COVID-19 restrictions on sports clubs and sport and leisure venues
At its meeting on 3 November, Members agreed to undertake a short, focused inquiry into the impact on sports clubs, leisure venues and communities of COVID-19 restrictions. With a particular focus on any reductions or cessation of community-based activities undertaken by sporting organisations including mental and physical health impacts on individuals.
In order to deliver meaningful findings within a short time frame we launched two online surveys to capture information about the nature of the impact on community sports clubs/organisations and sporting venues and the effects on users.
The first of our surveys opened on 16 November and we heard from sporting organisations, sports clubs and venues to inform the committee about the impact COVID-19 has had on the ability to provide community based activities and initiatives; the financial impact; and the potential long term impact.
The second of our surveys opened on 23 November and heard from individuals on the impact COVID-19 has had on access to sport.
Each survey closed on 7 December 2020.
Following the survey responses, we took evidence from the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing on 15 December 2020 and on 12 January 2021 we will hear from individuals and sporting organisations.
To help inform the Committee ahead of 15 December, the Convener wrote to the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing on this matter on 12 November 2020:
The Convener received a response on 25 November 2020:
Following the evidence session on 15 December, the Convener wrote to the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing seeking further information on a number of issues:
The Convener received a response on 18 January 2021:
The Convener wrote to the Minister for Public Health and Sport on 17 February 2021:
The Convener received a response on 8 March 2021:
Timetable
The Committee's timetable of evidence sessions on COVID-19, PPE, testing, care homes, resilience and emergency planning are detailed below:
Details of evidence from our short, focussed inquiry "COVID-19 restrictions on sports clubs and sport and leisure venues" will be updated in due course.
Evidence
To help inform our evidence sessions on testing and care homes, we launched surveys via Citizen Space, an online consultation platform:
COVID-19 and care homes
The purpose of this survey was to understand to what extent care staff, families and residents feel that care homes have contained and prevented cases of COVID-19 and to what extent residents have been protected.
The closing date was 20 May 2020.
COVID-19 Testing
The purpose of this survey was to understand the role testing should play in tackling the pandemic and what is needed to deliver an effective testing regime.
The closing date was 18 May 2020.
Resilience and emergency planning evidence session
The purpose is to understand how prepared we were for the pandemic and whether the Scottish Government could better manage future outbreaks of coronavirus or other pandemics. We have contacted relevant organisations directly, with the public evidence session on resilience and emergency planning scheduled to take place in June.
Submissions sent in through Citizen Space can be viewed here.
Correspondence
All general correspondence relating to COVID-19 and evidence sessions:
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to inform the Committee of a SPICe briefing that was lodged on the novel coronavirus by the Chief Medical Officer.
The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, Europe and External Affairs wrote to the Convener to inform the Committee that the Scottish Government indroduced the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill into the Scottish Parliament.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener regarding ICU capacity and ventilators in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minister for Mental Health wrote to the Convener to update the Committee on the feedback provided to NHS Boards regarding their mobilisation planning for COVID-19 from a mental health perspective.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to inform the Committee of revised PPE guidance.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Presiding Officer regarding the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Commencement No1) (Scotland) Regulations 2020.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener regarding the impact of COVID-19 on work across the Health portfolio.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to provide an update on plans to allow nursing students to have the opportunity to help the NHS at this time of national emergency.
The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, Europe and External Affairs wrote to the Convener on the extension of social distancing measures.
Alison Culpan, Director of ABPI Scotland, wrote to the Convener to provide an update of the work on the pharmaceutical industry during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener regarding the COVID-19: Death in Service Benefit for NHS Scotland staff.
The Convener wrote to Professor Hugh Pennington following the evidence session on 28 April seeking further information.
We received a response from Professor Hugh Pennington on 6 May 2020.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener providing an update on the COVID-19: Death in Service Benefit for NHS Scotland staff.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to inform the Committee of the publication of a further paper on COVID-19.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener regarding the shielding of additional groups.
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People wrote to the Convener of the Social Security Committee regarding the Carer's Allowance Supplement.
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills wrote to the Convener of the Health and Sport Committee to inform the Committee that the Scottish Government published a further paper on COVID-19.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to provide an update on the Death in Service Benefit for NHS Scotland staff.
Dr Donald Macaskill, Chief Executive of Scottish Care wrote to the Convener regarding the Committee's inquiry into the impact COVID-19 in care homes.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener of the COVID-19 Committee to inform the Committee of intentions to include a Government amendment at Stage 2 of the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill.
The Convener sent the following response to the above letter on 13 May:
The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, Europe and External Affairs wrote to the Convener of the COVID-19 Committee regarding the revised guidance on outdoor exercise.
Following the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport's evidence session regarding PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) on 7 May 2020, the Convener issued a letter seeking further infomation and clarification on a number of points:
The Convener received a response to the above letter on 20 May.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to provide an update on the Death in Service Benefit for NHS Scotland staff.
The Committee received a letter from Professor Graham Ellis, National Clinical Advisor for Aging and Health to the Chief Medical Officer in NHS Scotland and Diane Murray, Depute Chief Nursing Officer for the Scottish Government. The letter references the publication of updated Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for care homes.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to inform the Committee of the progress of extending the free car parking arrangements at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital.
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills wrote to the Convener of the COVID-19 Committee to inform the Committee of the publication of COVID-19: Framework for Decision Making - Scotland's route map through and out of the crisis.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener and to NHS Board Chief Executives to inform them that the health service will remain on an emergency footing for a further 100 days.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to provide an update on the shielding of kidney dialysis and splenectony patients.
The Convener issued a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport seeking further information following the session on 27 May on testing.
The Convener received a response to the above letter on 11 August 2020:
The Convener issued a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport regarding the delivery of primary care services since restrictions began on 23 March.
The Convener received a response to the above letter on 25 June.
The Convener issued a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport seeking further information following the evidence session on 4 June on care homes.
The Convener received a response to the above letter on 29 June.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener regarding the planned resumption of National Health Services.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to advise of a letter issued to health boards by the Interim Chief Medical Officer on the use of serology (antibody) testing in Scotland.
The Convener issued a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport seeking further information following the evidence session on 17 June on resilience.
The Convener received a response to the above letter on 28 July:
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener regarding plans to support phased return to visiting in adult care home services.
The Deputy First Minister wrote to the Convener of the COVID-19 Committee regarding an update on approach to physical distancing.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener providing an update on the digital response to the COVID19 pandemic including contact tracing apps throughout the UK
The Cabinet Secretary for Health wrote to the Convener regarding updates to Death in Service policy:
The Cabinet Secretary wrote to the Committee regarding guidance for businesses regarding collection of contact details as part of contact tracing efforts
The Deputy First Minister wrote to the Committee regarding the publication of the Scottish Government's position statement on surveillance and response to the COVID19 outbreak
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Committee regarding cancer services during the COVID-19 pandemic on 17 July 2020
The Committee received an additional submission from Allied Health Professionals Federation Scotland following the COVID-19 call for views.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to make the Committee aware of enhancements to information published by Public Health Scotland.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener regarding plans to write to Local Authority Chief Executives and Integration Authority Chief Officers to provide an update on financial support to help the social cae sector meet additional costs related to COVID-19.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to update the Committee on the removals of people from the shielding list.
The Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing wrote to the Convener to provide an update on plans for sexual health services in Scotland.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener regarding the Scottish Government's seasonal flu vaccination.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to provide information about the launch of the automated, web-based Turas Care Management safety huddle tool.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to provide information about the Scottish Government’s updated COVID-19 Testing Strategy.
The Deputy First Minister wrote to the Presiding Officer on 21 August 2020 regarding the review of local lockdown restrictions in Aberdeen.
Following the review on 23 August 2020, the Deputy First Minister issued a further letter to the Presiding Officer with an update on the restrictions in Aberdeen.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to provide a further update on the Death in Service benefits under the NHS Scotland and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme 2020. This has been extended to include students from Higher Education Institutes who undertake clinical placements on NHS premises.
The Deputy First Minister wrote to the Presiding Officer on 2 September 2020 regarding the review of restrictions in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board region.
During our Committee meeting of 1 September 2020, the Committee scrutinised the following subordinate legislation:
• Scotland Act 1998 (Agency Arrangements) (Specification) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 (SSI 2020/776); and
• Scotland Act 1998 (Agency Arrangements) (Specification) (Coronavirus) (No 2) Order 2020 (SSI 2020/777).
While the Committee agreed to make no recommendation on the instruments, we wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport to seek clarification and further information on certain areas.
The Convener received a response on 16 November 2020.
The Deputy First Minister wrote to the Presiding Officer on 7 September 2020 regarding the review and extension of restrictions in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board region.
The Deputy First Minister wrote to the Presiding Officer on 11 September 2020 regarding the restrictions in the Lanarkshire Health Board areas.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 25 September 2020 regarding the extension of free car parking arrangements at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital until January 2021.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 29 September 2020 regarding funding allocation for health and social care spend made available to NHS Boards and Integration Authorities. This is to account for additional costs arising from COVID-19.
The Deputy First Minister wrote to the Presiding Officer on 29 September 2020 regarding the removal of local restrictions in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lanarkshire health board areas requiring contacts of contacts (not index cases) to self-isolate for fourteen days.
The Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing wrote to the Convener on 30 September 2020 regarding the launch of a consultation until 5 January 2021. The consultation is on whether current arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic for early medical abortion at home should be continued once there is no longer a significant risk of COVID-19 transmission.
The Minister for Mental Health wrote to the Convener on 2 October 2020 regarding the final report by Dr Nadine Cossettee into the mental health needs of patients hospitalised due to COVID-19.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 12 October 2020 regarding the publication of updated guidance on optimising visiting in adult care homes.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 13 October 2020 regarding Scottish Government’s plans for a physical and digital exemption card for people who are exempt under the regulations from wearing face coverings.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 2 November 2020 to advise of new inclusions on the Shielding List:
- those aged over 18 with Down's Syndrome;
- Chronic Kidney Disease stage 5.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 16 November 2020 to advise of the publication of a Framework for the Clinical Prioritisation of Elective Care which sets out the principles for NHS Boards to follow when considering decisions around the urgency of their elective care waiting lists during COVID-19.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 16 November 2020 to provide a further update on the Death in Service benefits under the NHS Scotland and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme 2020. This has been extended to include students from Further Education Colleges studying for an HNC in Care and Administrative Practice and an HNC in Healthcare Practice who undertake placements in health and social care settings.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 30 November 2020 to advise of a one-off bonus payment to be made to health and social care staff.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 2 December 2020 to give an update on testing across adult social, including the delivery plan for designated visitors at care homes. The update also included notification of a reduction in care home closure periods from 28 days to 14 days following the last positive case or symptoms of COVID-19.
The Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing wrote to the Convener on 14 December 2020 regarding changes to the way in which reviews are currently being undertaken by the Death Certification Review Service (DCRS), and the impact of COVID-19.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener to inform the Committee of the extension of free car parking arrangements at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital until March 2021.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener regarding an amendment to the Social Care Staff Support Fund criteria.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener regarding the provision of COVID-19 home test kits extended to previously excluded postcode areas.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 23 December 2020 with an update and FAQ document regarding the one-off £500 bonus payment to be made to health and social care staff.
The Minister for Public Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 18 January 2021 following the latest review of the Death Certification Review Service (DCRS).
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 19 January 2021 regarding processes in place for managing urgent elective and cancer treatments during COVID-19.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 19 January 2021 regarding the extension of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) support arrangements for primary care and social care providers.
The Minister for Mental Health wrote to the Convener on 28 January 2021 to provide an update on work being undertaken to support the mental health and wellbeing of health and social care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 3 February 2021 with an update on the ongoing work to transition routine testing of staff in Care Homes from the UK Government testing programme to the NHS Laboratories.
The Minister for Mental Health wrote to the Convener on 4 February 2021 regarding publication of findings from the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory (SLDO) on the impact of COVID-19 on people with a learning/intellectual disability living in Scotland.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 5 February 2021 regarding an update on COVID-19 funding for NHS Boards and Integration Authorities. The letter confirmed an additional further funding of £491 million will be provided to NHS Boards and Integration Authorities to support COVID-19 efforts.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 10 February 2021 regarding enhancements to the Protect Scotland app in order to allow users to generate an isolation certificate.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 20 February 2021 regarding revised care home visiting guidance due to be published on 24 February 2021.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 22 February 2021 regarding people with liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh Class B and C) being added to the shielding list.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 24 February 2021 regarding the publication of revised care home visiting guidance published on 24 February 2021 - Open with Care: resuming meaningful contact with care home residents.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 11 March 2021 regarding the forthcoming publication, on 23 March, of the independent evaluation of the rapid rollout of the Near Me video consulting service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 18 March 2021 regarding the decommissioning timescale for the NHS Louisa Jordan and the relocation of the Mass Vaccination Centre.
The Minister for Mental Health wrote to the Convener on 19 March 2021 regarding funding being awarded to implement one of the central recommendations of the Dr Nadine Cossette report from last year. Funding will be provided over three years for a network of dedicated mental health clinicians based in Health Boards that will support people who have been hospitalised due to COVID-19.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport and COSLA wrote to the Convener on 24 March 2021 regarding an update on financial support to the social care sector due to COVID-19 following our Committee meeting on 23 February.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the Convener on 24 March 2021 regarding an update on the COVID-19 vaccine deployment plan.
The Deputy First Minister wrote to the Presiding Officer on 30 March 2021 regarding the easing of protective measures from 2 and 5 April 2021.
The Deputy First Minister wrote to the Presiding Officer on 13 April 2021 regarding bringing forward the easing of protective measures to 16 April 2021.