Families of care home residents have called for an apology over bans on care home visiting during as preliminary hearings launched today in the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry.

Health and social care will be the first area of focus in the Inquiry with the first set of full hearings to begin in late October.

Speaking to BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland, Alison Leitch, of Care Home Relatives Scotland, said: “Why were we treated differently to staff? Hopefully this is never allowed to happen again.”

The Inquiry will focus on decisions made by the Scottish government throughout the pandemic, including lockdowns, testing and vaccination, as well as infection control and hospital discharge to care homes.

The Inquiry has come under fire for delays and following news it has already cost £8 million.

Previous chair of the Inquiry, Judge Lady Poole resigned in October 2022 for personal reasons.

Robert Kilgour, founder of Renaissance Care, told Caring Times said there had been “a disappointingly slow and stuttering start” to the investigation, adding “we really need them to up their pace considerably – we all need the answers and the lessons learnt from the pandemic journey as a matter of urgency”.

Kilgour said news that Scottish government politicians were not likely to be called to give evidence or questioned until 2025 was an “insult to those who lost their lives and their relatives and friends – this must surely be challenged and hopefully changed”.

A Scottish Care spokesperson said: “Scottish Care welcomes the official launch of the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry. This inquiry is a pivotal step towards understanding the impact of the pandemic on our nation and the valuable lessons that can be learned to improve our preparedness for future challenges.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented event that has deeply affected all aspects of society, including the social care sector. Care homes, home care services, and housing support providers faced complex and evolving challenges in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals, while also safeguarding the dedicated staff who provided essential care.

“We are committed to fully engage with the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry, providing insights, experiences, and recommendations that reflect the on-the-ground realities faced by our members throughout this period.

“As we reflect on the challenges and complexities of the past, we must focus on the future. The Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry offers an opportunity to identify best practices, assess areas for improvement, and collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that Scotland’s social care sector is equipped to navigate any challenges that lie ahead.

“Scottish Care is dedicated to supporting our members, their staff, and the individuals they care for throughout this inquiry process. We look forward to collaborating with government bodies, policymakers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the lessons learned from this inquiry result in tangible changes that enhance the quality of care and support available across Scotland.”