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24 September 2022
The Committee undertook an inquiry into the communication of COVID-19 public health information and heard from experts and stakeholders about the impact and reach of Scottish Government public health information.
In a letter to the Minister for Public Health, the Committee has set out a series of recommendations outlining how the Scottish Government should improve future public health communications for those at the highest risk by better understanding their needs and concerns.
The inquiry heard concerns over the discontinuation of the Highest Risk List and mixed public health messaging meaning many individuals at high risk did not feel safe leaving their homes.
Evidence revealed that the lack of public health information and consultation with high-risk groups led to individuals seeking information from online platforms and undertaking their own research to inform their decision as to whether to continue to shield.
The inquiry also noted further concern over the effectiveness of vaccine programme communications and continued low uptake amongst Polish and Gypsy/Traveller people, requesting further information on how the Scottish Government plan to increase uptake amongst these groups throughout the Autumn/Winter COVID-19 booster programme rollout.
Commenting, Convener of the COVID-19 Recovery Committee, Siobhian Brown MSP said:
“Many individuals at highest risk in Scotland felt let down by the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 public health communications, confused and unsure about where to find reliable information.
“It was deeply concerning to hear that many of those who were at the highest clinical risk, as well as unpaid carers, viewed public health messaging as mixed or unclear and felt that their concerns were not being addressed.
“The Scottish Government must continue to learn from the lived experience of individuals and communities during the earlier stages of the pandemic and adapt public health messaging during the recovery phase to make sure that no one is left behind.
“By putting the inquiry recommendations into practice, the Scottish Government can help people prepare for winter and better prepare communication strategies for any possible future pandemics.”
The Covid-19 Recovery Committee has been undertaking an inquiry into COVID-19: communication of public health information.
The inquiry had the following aims:
To understand the challenges, including the existence of any misinformation and disinformation, faced by government in communicating public health messages in the pandemic to date and to consider what could be done by government to tackle these issues going forward;
To consider whether public health information about COVID-19 is accessible to and meets the needs of specific audiences going forward, including people in the shielding category and communities where there has been below-average uptake in vaccination to date;
To understand how scientific information about personal health risks and risks to wider society can be best used to inform decision-making and public health messaging.
Read more on the inquiry here.
Definition of those at highest risk:
The Committee described those at highest risk as individuals on the highest risk list who received updates and advice in letters from the Chief Medical Officer. The first letter was issued on 26 March 2020.
The Scottish Government wrote to people who were on the Highest Risk List in May 2022 to inform them the list would end on 31 May 2022, as a result of its review of advice that was concluded in April 2022.
The Scottish Government subsequently published specific guidance for this group on the discontinuation of the Highest Risk List. The guidance indicated that other protective measures (social distancing, face coverings etc.) are a personal choice for the individual.
Notes to Editor:
Read the letter to the Minister for Public Health, Maree Todd MSP.
This includes the full set of recommendations covering:
A photo of the Covid-19 Recovery Committee Convener Siobhian Brown MSP is attached for publication.
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