First wave of coronavirus vaccinations could be completed by spring – Freeman
The first wave of Covid-19 vaccinations in Scotland could be completed by the spring, the Health Secretary has said.
Jeane Freeman
First fixed mass coronavirus testing site for Scots without symptoms launched
Scotland’s first fixed community testing site for people without Covid-19 symptoms has opened in Renfrewshire.
NHS staffing issues must be addressed urgently, Scottish Government warned
The Scottish Government has been urged to act on NHS staffing levels as new figures show a drop in the number of nurses and midwives.
Higher and Advanced Higher exams decision to be made before February deadline
A decision on the holding of Higher and Advanced Higher exams will be made before the February deadline, the Education Secretary has said.
Christmas school holidays: Decision coming on extended break
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has said a decision on giving children a Christmas holiday extension will be made as soon as possible, after a leaked document revealed the proposal is under consideration.
Christmas school holidays extension yet to be decided, says Health Secretary
No decision has yet been reached on extending school holidays at Christmas, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has said.
Sturgeon ‘unable to give details’ on Covid-19 patients discharged to care homes
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she is unable to reveal how many people have been discharged from hospital to care homes without a negative Covid-19 test.
Coronavirus testing expansion to include care homes, NHS staff and students
Coronavirus testing will be expanded to all frontline health and social care staff, care home visitors, hospital patients and students returning home over Christmas, Scotland’s Health Secretary has announced.
Covid-19 vaccination programme will be huge logistical challenge, says Sturgeon
Vaccinating millions of Scots against coronavirus will be “perhaps the biggest logistical exercise and challenge that has been undertaken”, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Care homes inquiry plans revealed by Health Secretary
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has announced plans to set up an inquiry about the impact of coronavirus on Scotland’s care homes but warned it will not be done quickly.
Sturgeon insists infected patients could always be discharged into care homes
Discharging hospital patients who are infected with coronavirus into care homes has always been allowed in “exceptional circumstances”, Nicola Sturgeon has insisted.
Scotland likely to have ‘slight and careful’ easing of restrictions at Christmas
A planned easing of coronavirus restrictions over Christmas will be “slight and careful”, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Scottish Government to launch information campaign to tackle Covid-19 vaccine disinformation
The Scottish Government has "no plans" to make the Covid-19 vaccine compulsory but officials will launch an information campaign to encourage public uptake in the new year.
Coronavirus deaths in Scotland pass 3,500 by daily measures
The coronavirus death toll in Scotland has risen by seven in the past 24 hours.
Covid-19 vaccine not to be compulsory, says Health Secretary
There are “no plans” to make a Covid-19 vaccine compulsory in Scotland, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has said.
Covid Christmas: ‘Scunnered’ Sturgeon on price of ignoring restrictions
Nicola Sturgeon has warned a Scotland-wide lockdown could be imposed if people flout Covid travel restrictions to do their Christmas shopping.
Sturgeon: We are within touching distance of one million Covid vaccinations
Scots can be hopeful about a coronavirus vaccine because plans to administer it to up to a million people by the end of January are “within touching distance”, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Ministers who resisted abuse inquiry calls ‘not trying to cover things up’
Ministers were not trying to “cover things up” when they previously resisted calls for an inquiry into the physical and sexual abuse of children in care, former first minister Jack McConnell has said.
Coronavirus vaccines: How long will they take and who has priority in Scotland?
Scotland is gearing up for the biggest vaccination programme ever delivered in the country – if the first coronavirus vaccines are approved and available for use next month.
Coronavirus vaccine: One million people in Scotland will get jab by end of January
A million Scots will receive the coronavirus vaccine by the end of January in "one of the biggest civilian logistical challenges in our lifetime", the health secretary has confirmed.
Covid-19 vaccines expected in Scotland next month, says Health Secretary
The first coronavirus vaccines could be available in Scotland by next month, Jeane Freeman has said.
Coronavirus vaccine rollout costs and funding uncertain, Finance Secretary warns
Scotland’s Finance Secretary has warned there is uncertainty about how the rollout of a coronavirus vaccine will be paid for.
Covid level four: Sturgeon on ‘hyper-local’ lockdowns
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would not rule out "hyper-localised" lockdowns in future but admitted it would be difficult to maintain.
Scotland’s coronavirus vaccination plans ‘well advanced’
Plans for vaccinating Scots against coronavirus are already “well advanced”, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Parents of disabled children should be prioritised for virus vaccine – charity
Parents of children with complex disabilities should be among the first to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, a charity has said.
Coronavirus tracers fail to contact thousands of Scots who tested positive
More than 3,500 Scots who have tested positive for Covid-19 have not been spoken to by coronavirus contact tracers.
Hospitals inquiry reaches ‘significant milestone’
An inquiry into two of Scotland’s newest hospitals has reached a “significant milestone” as it invites applications from people or organisations that want to be core participants in it, its chairman has said.
MSPs vote for weekly Covid testing of all health and care staff
MSPs have voted to “immediately” introduce weekly coronavirus testing for all health and social care workers.
Coronavirus vaccine breakthrough ‘a glimmer of hope’
Nicola Sturgeon has described the prospect of an effective coronavirus vaccine as a "ray of hope in a pretty dark tunnel" but cautioned any treatment may not provide a "way out" of current restrictions until next year.
New thrombectomy service for stroke patients to be piloted in Tayside
Stroke patients in Scotland will start to benefit this year from a new service that aims to reduce the risk of long-term disability, the Scottish Government has said.