Former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman dies aged 72

Former Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, who was a key figure in the response to the Covid pandemic, has died at the age of 72.

Her partner said she died in hospital after a short illness.

A former nurse, justice campaigner and civil servant, Freeman entered politics as a special advisor to Labour First Minister Jack McConnell before joining the SNP and standing for the Scottish Parliament.

She became an MSP in 2016 and was appointed health secretary two years later, before standing down at the 2021 election.

She was a regular presence at the daily media briefings held by the Scottish government during the Covid pandemic.

Freeman was born and raised in Ayr and had a long career in the health and social justice sectors before working in politics.

For 12 years she ran the social enterprise Apex Scotland, working with employers and former prisoners. She was awarded an OBE in 1996 for her work rehabilitating offenders.

Freeman chaired the board of the Golden Jubilee Foundation and was a member of the Parole Board for Scotland and the Judicial Appointments Board.

She was MSP for the Ayrshire seat of Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley from 2016 to 2021 and served as health secretary between 2018 and 2021.

During that time she ordered a public inquiry into the design, construction, commissioning and maintenance of Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and a new children's hospital in Edinburgh.

After leaving Holyrood in 2021 she gave evidence at the UK Covid Inquiry and the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry.

Her partner, Susan Stewart, said: "Jeane was given an unexpected diagnosis of incurable cancer on 13 January and we only had 25 days thereafter. Days which she faced with enormous courage, care for others and love for me.

"I wish to thank all the staff in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital whose professional skill, care and sensitivity were exceptional. We were both very grateful and also for the outpouring of love and concern from so many, across politics and beyond. Be kind to each other, that is what changes the world.

"Jeane and I were partners for over 25 years and I admired and supported her professional and public life. I am immensely proud of her, not least her latter volunteering at the Beatson Centre taking round the tea trolley, a job she loved.

"But it is the private Jeane – my soul mate and companion – who I will be forever grateful to have had in my life

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