UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 3 report: Scottish Government response

Ministerial Foreword

The Covid-19 pandemic touched every community and every family in Scotland in different ways. For many, it brought profound loss, separation, uncertainty and hardship. The Scottish Government extends its deepest sympathy to everyone who lost loved ones and to all those whose lives were impacted by the pandemic.

The Scottish Government recognises the immense pressure placed on our health and social care systems throughout the pandemic. We remain deeply grateful to Scotland’s health and social care workforce, volunteers, carers and public servants whose commitment, compassion and tireless efforts helped support people and communities through some of the most challenging circumstances our country has faced.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry published its Module 3 report on 19 March 2026. The report examined the governmental and societal response to Covid-19 and the impact that the pandemic had on healthcare systems, patients and healthcare workers across the United Kingdom. The Scottish Government thanks the Chair and the Inquiry for their diligent work, and the many individuals who shared difficult and often traumatic experiences to assist the Inquiry.

Whilst much has been achieved since the pandemic, we recognise that there is more to do. The Scottish Government accepts that further work is needed to strengthen Scotland’s preparedness and resilience for future public health emergencies.

The Scottish Government is fully committed to learning from the findings of the Inquiry, and welcomes the report’s recommendations. Over the past six months, we have given careful consideration to the Inquiry’s Module 3 findings, including how they can be implemented effectively in Scotland. This publication sets out the Scottish Government’s response to these recommendations. It builds upon, and is closely aligned with, the actions we have already taken in response to the Inquiry’s Module 1 report on pandemic preparedness and Module 2 report on core decision-making and political governance. Our response to Modules 1 and 2 remains ongoing, as outlined in our most recent progress reports to the Inquiry, and the steps outlined in this response form the next phase of our commitment to ensuring the lessons identified from the pandemic are implemented across the Scottish Government and our public bodies.

While health policy is a devolved matter, with responsibility for health and social care policy and delivery resting primarily with the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government will continue to work closely with our four nations counterparts to deliver the Chair’s recommendations through effective collaboration.

Significant progress has already been made in Scotland since the pandemic to strengthen healthcare preparedness, resilience and patient care through improved hospital visiting oversight, stronger pandemic planning and more consistent NHS Board preparedness. Critical care capacity, ICU (Intensive Care Units) equipment readiness and national equipment oversight have improved, while care planning has been modernised through person-centred future care planning and digital record ambitions. Staff wellbeing support has also been maintained and expanded, including continued national services and work to improve reflective practice, peer support and supervision. We recognise, however, that more still needs to be done, which is why we remain focused on taking forward the recommendations.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to members of the Covid Inquiry Response Engagement Group (CIREG) and to the many partners, stakeholders and organisations who have given their time and contributed their expertise and reflections to help shape our response. Their input has helped to ensure that our response reflects the experiences of those who felt the greatest impact from the pandemic. Their voices have been essential in helping to understand the challenges faced and the changes that are needed for the future.

The Scottish Government remains committed to taking forward the actions set out in this response, and to doing so in a way that recognises and respects the many sacrifices made by the public health workforce during the pandemic to protect our healthcare system, and the loved ones lost during the pandemic.

Our full response to each recommendation, including the actions we will take, is outlined in the chapters that follow.

Jenny Gilruth MSP

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Local Government

Angela Constance MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care