Scots are being urged to share their personal experiences of the COVID pandemic.
A new website has launched as part of an inquiry into how the Scottish government handled the health crisis.
Let’s Be Heard: Sharing Scotland’s COVID Experience will allow members of the public to detail the impact the pandemic had on them or loved ones, and what lessons should be learned.
A website has been launched at lbh.covid19inquiry.scot and printed submissions will be available at GP practices, care homes, pharmacies and libraries.
Dr Alexandra Anderson, head of Let’s Be Heard, said: “Everyone in Scotland has been affected by the pandemic.
“Thousands of people have lost their lives, and many continue to be deeply impacted. Lessons people believe should be drawn from their experiences, both positive and negative, will be at the heart of the inquiry’s investigations.”
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The Scottish COVID-19 inquiry is expected to formally start this July, with expert evidence and full hearings to follow in October.
The inquiry, chaired by Lord Brailsford, has been set up to investigate the Scottish government’s strategic response to the pandemic between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022.
It aims to establish facts, lessons to be learned and will make recommendations to Scottish ministers to ensure the country is better prepared in future.
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that COVID inquiries for the UK and Scotland will work alongside each other to avoid any duplication of evidence-gathering and reporting results.
Dr Anderson added: “Our internal research team will analyse the experiences people share with us and produce a series of reports to help shape the inquiry’s investigations and inform its reporting and recommendations to Scottish ministers.”
