Former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman dies aged 72

Former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman has died from cancer aged 72.

Her family announced in a statement on Saturday that the MSP had been given an “unexpected” cancer diagnosis in January and died 25 days later.

Ms Freeman served as cabinet secretary for health and sport from 2018 to 2021 and was also the Scottish National Party’s MSP for the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituency from 2016 to 2021.

In 2018, she became cabinet secretary for health and sport, and led Scotland’s health response to the Covid pandemic until her retirement in 2021.

In a statement, Ms Freeman’s partner, Susan Stewart, said: “Jeane was given an unexpected diagnosis of incurable cancer  on January 13, 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 QEUH 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.

“She was my biggest supporter – constantly encouraging - and also fun, feisty and argumentative!  My life has been the better for her love. And I will miss her terribly.” 

Tributes

First Minister John Swinney said he was “shocked and saddened at her death”.

“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.”

Nicola Sturgeon said Ms Freeman helped “steer Scotland through the toughest of times”.

She said in a statement: “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 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.”

Former first minister Jack MacConnell said: “Jeane Freeman was one of my oldest friends. From her time as a student leader when we first met to becoming health secretary during a global pandemic, she never flinched in the service of those she represented.

“Jeane was one of the most formidable public figures of her generation. She was ferociously clever, fired by a strong sense of justice and an enduring commitment to public service. Whatever role she was in, whether as head of Apex, a government adviser or in the cabinet, she gave everything.

“She was renowned for her strong opinions and work ethic, but she was never happier than when she was with her soulmate, Susan. Scottish public life is poorer without her, and I will always miss her.”

UNISON Scotland head of health Matt McLaughlin said: “This is incredibly sad news.

“Jeane had a formidable understanding of the NHS and steered Scotland through the tough Covid months.

“She was a tough negotiator but always wanted the best for NHS staff.

“Our deepest condolences to Jeane’s family, especially her partner, Susan.”

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.”

Obituary

 Jeane Freeman OBE was born in September 1953 in Ayr.

After training as a nurse, she attended the Glasgow College of Technology to study sociology and politics, and in 1979 was elected as the first woman chair of the National Union of Students in Scotland.

In 1987, she established Apex Scotland, a social enterprise which worked with employers and ex-offenders, and she was awarded an OBE for this work.

Prior to entering politics, she has also served as a member of the Parole Board for Scotland, the Scottish Police Services Authority Board, as a Lay Member to the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland and was a member and then Chair of the Board of the National Waiting Times Centre. Jeane was awarded an OBE in 1996.

In 1999, with the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Executive, Jeane was appointed as a Senior Civil Servant, and in 2001, she became a special adviser to the first minister, Jack MacConnell.

After taking a leading role in the campaign group Women for Independence during the 2014 referendum, Jeane joined the SNP and was elected as MSP for Carrick Cumnock and Doon Valley from 2016 to 2021.

Nicola Sturgeon appointed Jeane immediately as a Scottish Government minister, where, as minister for social security, she established the creation of a new Social Security Service for Scotland. In 2018, she became cabinet secretary for Health and Sport, meaning she led on Scotland’s health response to the Covid pandemic until her retirement in 2021.

In the last few years, Jeane took up part-time positions at both Glasgow and Queen Margaret Universities, the latter of which awarded her as an honorary professor; she also volunteered at the Beatson Cancer Centre.