Jeane Freeman, OBE, the former Health Secretary, has died from cancer, aged 72, according to a family statement.
Ms Freeman was an MSP only from 2016 to 2021, but led the nation’s response to the Covid pandemic. as Secretary for Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport from 2018-2021. She appeared often at the media briefings televised daily in Scotland, and gave evidence at the subsequent Covid enquiry.
She said in a written statement to the Covid Inquiry that she and the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, met every day from January 2020 to May 2021, at least twice a day in person and followed up by phone calls.
Until becoming an SNP MSP, Ms Freeman was a member of the Labour Party, and had worked in The Scottish Executive as an adviser. Sh was first appointed Minister for Social Security establishing Social Security Scotland following widespread consultation. During her career she worked as a senior civil servant before becoming an MSP. She established social enterprise, Apex Scotland, to work with employers and ex-offenders, chaired the Golden Jubilee Foundation and was a member of the Parole Board and the Judicial Appointments Board. She was awarded an OBE in 1996 for her work in the rehabilitation of offenders.
In a statement, 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.”
First Minister John Swinney said on Saturday: “Jeane devoted her life to serving the public, and I am shocked and saddened at her death.
“In her long and varied career, Jeane always had people at her heart and had an unrelenting aim to improve people’s lives. Working alongside her as a Minister, I was always struck by her strong belief in the power of compassion and a desire for people to be treated always with dignity fairness, and respect – values she put at the heart of Scotland’s first social security system.
“As Health Secretary during the Covid pandemic, she faced up to the biggest public health crisis Scotland has ever seen and steered a course through an immensely difficult time for our country and our health service, working tirelessly and acting throughout with honesty and selflessness.
“I will miss her greatly, and my thoughts and deep condolences are with her partner Susan and wider family, and her many friends.”
former First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said: “Words can’t even begin to convey how heartbroken I feel that Jeane Freeman has gone.
“As Health Secretary during Covid, she helped steer Scotland through the toughest of times. As well as bearing her own heavy responsibilities during that time, she helped me bear mine. I’m not sure I could have got through it without her by my side.
“Jeane was an outstanding Minister throughout the years she served in government – first in charge of Social Security and then as Health Secretary.
“More than any of that, though, to me Jeane was my friend – one of my best and closest. She was always there with a smile and a laugh, or a shoulder to cry on – whatever was needed. I loved her.
“I last saw Jeane yesterday afternoon and though it was clear she didn’t have long left, she still wanted to know how I was and how I was feeling about leaving parliament soon. That was the measure of the woman.
“Susan was the love of her life. Visiting Jeane in hospital over these last short weeks since her sudden diagnosis, I have been overwhelmed to witness Jeane’s courage, Susan’s strength and the bond of unconditional love between them.
“Jeane, I will miss you so much. Rest easy, my friend.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Jeane’s passing brings me profound sadness.
“As Health Secretary during the global pandemic, there can be little doubt that she bore the heaviest burden that anyone in that role has ever been asked to bear. In those early days of Covid, she and I spoke almost every day and I was always struck by her inclusivity and her generosity with her time. Her decisive actions will have undoubtedly saved a lot of lives.
“From her efforts to rehabilitate former offenders, to the delivery of a devolved social security agency, she always worked extremely hard in the service of the people of Scotland. For that she earned the respect and thanks of so many.
“My thoughts are with Susan and her loved ones at this difficult time.”
Criticism
Ms Freeman was criticised over the deaths of untested pensioners being released from hospital into care homes during the pandemic, and later said to the BBC that the government did not take “the right precautions” to make sure that older people going into care homes were as safe as they could be and that was a mistake.”
She also defended herself when her resignation was called for over ten cases of infections at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, saying that she was focused on fixing the problems.
She announced to parliament in November 2020 news of the first vaccines becoming available after safety clearances. She also explained the way there would be priority for NHS staff and those working in care homes, before being rolled out in accordance with a defined priority list. Further guidance was issued by the Health Secretary in January 2021.
In recent years Ms Freeman was appointed an Honorary Professor at Queen Margaret University, working with Sir Paul Grice Vice Chancellor and Principal of QMU, who was former clerk and chief executive of The Scottish Parliament from 1999 to 2019.
At the time of her appointment Professor Freeman said: “This appointment is a real honour. I share QMU’s vision for a fairer and healthier society, and these are values that have driven my own career. The University was founded by two women of real influence who campaigned for improved career opportunities for women who were at that point excluded from higher and technical education. QMU continues to promote female leadership to this day, and it will be my privilege to contribute to that work, particularly in the field of health.”
