Covid Inquiries Response Engagement Group (CIREG) minutes: 20 July 2026

Attendees and apologies

Age Scotland

• Adam Strachura

CEMVO Scotland

• Virginia Toyi

Inclusion Scotland

• Maia Pace
• Rebecca Richard

Scottish Covid Bereaved (SCB)

• Alan Wightman
• Cathy Mitchell
• Maggie Waterton
• Rhona Arthur

Transparency International

• Professor Paul Cairney (invited guest)

Items and actions

Welcome and outline

The chair welcomed all participants and thanked them for their time, expertise and challenge. The format of the meeting was explained.

Discussion sessions

Two round table discussion sessions were held with all attendees covering 6 recommendations from UK Covid-19 Inquiry module 3 (the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the healthcare systems) and module 4 (Vaccines and therapeutics) reports.  Policy officials attended as set out in Annex A.

Session A – Health inequalities

• module 3 – recommendation 2: Guidance for visiting restrictions
• module 3 – recommendation 9: Standardised process for advance care planning across the UK
• module 4 – recommendation 2: Formalise work with communities around vaccine equity strategies

Session B – Data and monitoring

• module 4 – recommendation 4: Proportionate access to linked healthcare records for assessing safety signals
• module 3 – recommendation 4: Improve data systems to identify high-risk individuals
• module 4 – recommendation 3: Improve monitoring and evaluation of vaccine uptake and delivery

Summary

Key cross-cutting themes emerging from the meeting included:

• rebuilding trust
• working through trusted community networks
• improving accessibility and inclusion
• strengthening accountability and assurance
• using data ethically and transparently
• ensuring lived experience informs future preparedness and response

A summary in relation to each of the recommendations follows:

Session 1 - Health inequaities

Module 3 – Recommendation 2: Guidance for visiting restrictions

• the importance of consistency in implementation of guidance across settings
• the importance of ensuring restrictions are proportionate and time-limited, and decisions are made following careful consideration of the needs of patients and those who matter to them
• transparency and clear communication to all parties, so guidance is accessible and understood by all, with clear routes of challenge
• recognise the essential role of carers and support persons for patients, and in evaluating the impact of restrictions

Module 3 – Recommendation 9: Standardised process for advance care planning across the UK

• articulate clearly what learning has happened since the pandemic and what actions will be taken forward, including in relation to Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR), to reflect this
• improved education, training and awareness for all parties, including health professionals, patients and, families, carers and support persons, to support implementation and quality of conversations around anticipatory care planning, including clarity around review and escalation procedures
• the importance of consistency in the implementation of guidance, and accountability where failings occur, to help build public trust

Module 4 – Recommendation 2: Formalise work with communities around vaccine equity strategies

• trusted community relationships are critical to improving vaccine uptake and public confidence during future emergencies.  Make better use of trusted community messengers alongside government communications
• greater effort is needed to identify and engage people who are isolated, digitally excluded or disconnected from formal networks
• rebuilding trust in Government and public services requires both improved communication and visible action to address inequalities, such as accessible local service delivery

Session B - Data and monitoring

Module 4 – Recommendation 4: Proportionate access to linked healthcare records for assessing safety signals

• transparency and clear communication regarding the processes and purposes for the collation, storage, sharing and usage of data
• efforts to improve awareness around the existing Yellow Card reporting scheme to help identify safety concerns, around with education on what “safety” means in the context of vaccines and medicines

Module 3 – Recommendation 4: Improve data systems to identify high-risk individuals

• strengthen data quality - particularly for individuals who may have infrequent contact with services and ensure that the right expertise is available to interpret and contextualise that data
• information relating to disabled people’s care and support needs should captured and communicated across systems, maximising the use of existing records such as patient’s emergency care summaries
• transparency and clear communication regarding the processes and purposes for the collection, storage, sharing and usage of data

Module 4 – Recommendation 3: Improve monitoring and evaluation of vaccine uptake and delivery

• transparent and clear communication regarding vaccine benefits, limitations, side effects and eligibility (including any changes) is essential to build public trust
• the importance of trusted messengers and community leaders in educating and informing communities and shaping vaccination programme design

Conclusion

The Chair thanked members for their constructive challenge, expertise and contributions. The second workshop will take place on 27 July 2026. 

Policy officials (Annex A)

Session A - Health inequalities

Module 4 – Recommendation 2: Formalise work with communities around vaccine equity strategies

• Laura Wilson, Seasonal Vaccines and Strategy, Public Health Capabilities Division
• Adeeb Naasan, Season Vaccines and Strategy, Public Health Capabilities Division Jennifer Skipper, Seasonal Vaccines and Strategy, Public Health Capabilities Division
• Dr Ruth Dryden, Public Health Scotland

 Module 3 – Recommendation 9: Standardised process for advance care planning across the UK

• Neil Ritchie, Palliative & End of Life Care, Healthcare Quality and Improvement Division
• Helen Stevens, Palliative & End of Life Care, Healthcare Quality and Improvement Division
• Ashleigh Simpson, Palliative & End of Life Care, Healthcare Quality and Improvement Division

 Module 3 – Recommendation 2: Guidance for visiting restrictions

• Gary Cocker, Person Centred Care & Participation Unit, Healthcare Quality and Improvement Division
• Craig Tomlinson, Person Centred Care & Participation Unit, Healthcare Quality and Improvement Division
• Shaun Maher, Person-Centred Care & Participation Unit, Healthcare Quality and Improvement Division

 Session B – Data and monitoring

 Module 4 – Recommendation 4: Proportionate access to linked healthcare records for assessing safety signals

• Alison Strath, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer
• Jess Dickson, Unit Head – Medicines Branch, Pharmacy, Medicines and Therapeutics Division

 Module 3 – Recommendation 4: Improve data systems to identify high-risk individuals

• Ryan Anderson, Data Intelligence, Digital Health and Care Division
• Julie Landsberg, Population Health Analysis, Health and Social Care Analysis Division

 Module 4 Recommendation 3: Improve monitoring and evaluation of vaccine uptake and delivery

• Laura Wilson, Seasonal Vaccines and Strategy, Public Health Capabilities Division
• Adeeb Naasan, Season Vaccines and Strategy, Public Health Capabilities Division Jennifer Skipper, Seasonal Vaccines and Strategy, Public Health Capabilities Division
• Dr Ruth Dryden, Public Health Scotland

Observers

• Professor Nicola Steedman, Deputy Chief Medical Officer
• Victoria Ayre, Population Health Resilience & Protection, Population Health Directorate
• Nicola Rae, General Practice Policy Division, Directorate for Primary Care
• Hayley McMinn, Private Office, Directorate for Health and Social Care