Here are some resources and information about Long Covid

Summary of the study: “Long Covid in Healthcare Workers: Longitudinal Mixed-Methods Study”
Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) face a higher rate of long COVID (LC) due to their occupational exposure. This condition is characterised by persistent, multi-faceted symptoms

Are you ready to make a difference? Why not volunteer with Supporting Healthcare Heroes UK (SHH-UK)
Are you ready to make a difference? Why not volunteer with Supporting Healthcare Heroes UK (SHH-UK) and become part of a dynamic team dedicated to

Response to RCN report ‘RCN member experiences of Long Covid’
The recent Royal College of Nursing’s (RCN) report on the experiences of nurses with Long Covid shines a light on systemic failures that cannot be

PayPlan Blog November #3 – What funded childcare hours am I entitled to?
Children aged 9 months to 4 years may be eligible for 15 or 30 hours per week of free government-funded childcare, depending on factors like the child’s age and the parents’ employment and income status. If parents are struggling with debts, they can contact PayPlan for support.

PayPlan Blog November #2 – Getting people talking about money
Talk Money Week aims to encourage open discussions about money to build financial confidence and resilience, with this year’s theme being to share one actionable tip to improve financial wellbeing; the blog encourages readers to participate and reminds those struggling with debts to reach out to PayPlan for support.

PayPlan Blog November #1 – How can I save money on my food shopping?
Here is a 2-sentence summary:
To save money on food shopping, plan your purchases in advance, look for budget options and seasonal produce, stock up your freezer, and use less expensive protein sources. If you are having difficulty affording food, you can reach out to organizations like PayPlan or your local council for support.

Why more nurses are needed in ME/CFS and Long Covid services
A article published in the Nursing Times this week focuses on the role of nurses in providing care to people with ME/CFS and Long Covid.

Living with Long Covid: A clinical scientist’s story
A clinical scientist’s life was dramatically transformed by Long Covid, shifting from an active marathon runner and full-time healthcare professional to someone who is largely housebound and dependent on family care after two Covid-19 infections. Their experience highlights both the devastating personal impact of Long Covid – with symptoms including severe fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and nerve pain – and systemic issues in workplace and medical support for those affected by this debilitating condition.

How to check if you could pay less council tax
This article outlines various ways to potentially reduce council tax payments in England. It covers discounts for single-person households, students, and pensioners, as well as reductions for second homes, properties with disabled residents, and low-income households. The piece emphasizes that these discounts aren’t automatic and must be applied for, and it advises readers to check their tax banding and consider spreading payments over 12 months to lower monthly costs. It also mentions the possibility of discretionary reductions for those facing financial hardship and provides contact information for debt advice services. The article notes that different rules apply in Scotland and Wales, and encourages readers to contact their local council for specific inquiries or to report changes in circumstances.

Long Covid science, research and policy
This article from Nature Medicine was published in August 2024 and gives an overview of Long Covid, explains what it is, how it affects people

COVID-19 syndrome among 5248 healthcare workers in England: longitudinal findings from NHS CHECK
The article titled “PostCOVID-19 syndrome among 5248 healthcare workers in England: longitudinal findings from NHS CHECK” presents a study examining the long-term impact of COVID-19

New blog from David Osborn – definitely worth a read
Read David Osborn’s latest blog by clicking here. It’s incredibly topically given the witness testimony at the UK Covid Inquiry this week. Our Chair is

Could you be an NMC confirmer for a registrant living with Long Covid?
One of the things registrants living with Long Covid struggle with is completing their Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) revalidation due to fatigue and cognitive

Diving into Long Covid advocacy in 2020 as a novice and saving myself from drowning in 2024… Part 3 I’m still not an expert advocate
This is the third of three blogs by one of our supporters Dr Jenny Ceolta Smith. In part 3 she writes about my lessons learnt

Diving into Long Covid advocacy in 2020 as a novice and saving myself from drowning in 2024… Part 2 The high and low tides of advocating
This is the second of three blogs by one of our supporters Dr Jenny Ceolta Smith. In part 2 she reflects on the personal value,

Research Summary: Attitudes and Behaviours Regarding COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies in Australians With an Underlying Health Condition
The study, titled Attitudes and Behaviours Regarding COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies in Australians With an Underlying Health Condition is a cross-sectional survey aimed at understanding the

Re-introduction of COVID precautionary measures: A lifeline for the NHS – insights from the Darzi report
The recent publication of the Darzi report has highlighted several challenges facing the NHS. From staff shortages to longer waiting times, the NHS is under

Diving into Long Covid advocacy in 2020 as a novice and saving myself from drowning in 2024… Part 1 The journey
This is the first of three blogs written by one of our supporters Dr Jenny Ceolta-Smith (@JCeoltaSmith). So, how and when did my Long Covid

Long COVID: a clinical update
Long COVID, defined as symptoms persisting for 3+ months after acute COVID-19, significantly impacts individuals and healthcare systems, with clinicians facing challenges in evaluation and management due to conflicting definitions and complex pathophysiology. The article outlines priority research areas including genetic studies, biomarker development, and vaccine research, emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between biological understanding and clinical practice to address this widespread health issue.

Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for ventilation and indoor air quality
The Science.org report published on July 24, 2024, examines key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic regarding ventilation and indoor air quality. It highlights global unpreparedness, initial confusion about virus transmission, and insufficient attention to ventilation as a protective measure. The report emphasizes the urgent need to improve indoor air quality and ventilation standards, not only to combat future pandemics but also to enhance overall public health and well-being.

People with Long COVID three times more likely to give up work
COVID-19 has impacted people’s working lives in many ways, but data on the toll ongoing symptoms take on people’s employment status has been lacking. Now a study of more than 9,000 Britons who were in work before the pandemic suggests that those with Long COVID are at three times higher risk of leaving employment compared to those without ongoing symptoms.

Work ability and return-to-work of patients with post-COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The systematic review underscores the substantial impact of post-COVID-19 on work-related outcomes. The implications of this research highlight the need for healthcare providers, employers, and policymakers to collaborate in creating inclusive work environments and implementing tailored rehabilitation programs to support individuals recovering from post-COVID-19.

I still have no regerts… (sic) part 2
In part 2 of her blog Dr Curran critiques the World Health Organization’s (WHO) attempt to provide evidence for their newly proposed modes of COVID-19 respiratory transmission, finding their 25 cited sources lack evidence for “through the air via direct deposition” but provide more support for airborne transmission via inhalation as the dominant route – necessitating respiratory protection and clean air recommendations. The author argues the WHO has again failed to properly review evidence before proposing definitions, repeating their insistence on the disproven droplet transmission model early in the pandemic.

Three-year outcomes of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19
A study recently published on Nature.com (30/05/24) examined the long-term health effects of Long Covid, over a 3-year period. Using data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, researchers concluded that while risks reduce over time, the burden of mortality and health loss remains significant in the third year among hospitalized individuals, and declined over 3 years yet still contributed to disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the third year for non-hospitalized individuals.

I have no regerts (sic) (part 1)
In her latest blog Evonne expresses no regrets about highlighting errors in infection prevention and control guidance related to COVID-19 transmission, despite dismissive responses from decision-makers. She argues that guidance writers erroneously denied airborne transmission throughout the pandemic, and critiques the World Health Organization’s recent proposal acknowledging airborne spread but not changing protective equipment requirements as lacking evidence.

Differential Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Occupation: Evidence from the Virus Watch prospective cohort study in England and Wales
This study, using data from the Virus Watch cohort in England and Wales, found persistent occupational differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection risk even after adjusting for various confounders, with healthcare, teaching, social care, and service workers showing elevated risk compared to professional occupations, particularly in earlier pandemic phases. The findings highlight work as a significant source of infection risk during the pandemic, suggesting that understanding the mechanisms behind this differential risk could inform evidence-based public health interventions in the workplace.

Yvette’s Long Covid story
Yvette, a nurse with underlying conditions, contracted COVID-19 in November 2020 and spent the next 3.5 years battling debilitating long COVID symptoms like pain, breathlessness, brain fog and exhaustion that ultimately forced her to accept ill health retirement in April 2024 despite initial resistance. Though saddened to leave her nursing career, she now feels relieved to focus on improving her quality of life and spending time with her 10 grandchildren.

Masks and respirators for prevention of respiratory infections: a state of the science review
The American Society for Microbiology recently published (22/05/2024) a review into the science of the use of masks and respirators for the prevention of respiratory infections.
This narrative review and meta-analysis provides a comprehensive analysis of the evidence surrounding the use of masks for preventing the transmission of respiratory diseases, particularly SARS-CoV-2.

May 2024 PayPlan Blog
Here is the latest blog from PayPlan, our partner for debt advice. Whilst we acknowledge and recognise ourselves that exercise can trigger its own problems, we can perhaps all appreciate that even a small amount of movement can have a positive effect of ones mental health.

Clean Air Needed in Hospital and Care Settings Now
One of Supporting Healthcare Heroes UK’s (SHH-UK) aims is to advocate for improvements in indoor air quality in hospital and care establishments. Given the focus on handwashing as a way of preventing the transmission of covid by Government and public health bodies you might wonder why we want to achieve this. The answer is quite simple. Covid is airborne.

Angela’s Long Covid story – part 2
Five months on from my work ending, I am still waiting to hear from NHS pensions re whether I’m sick ‘enough’ to be allowed my pension. Sadly there are a significant number of people who are refused, my fate is still up in the air.

Angela’s Long Covid story – part 1
My tale is somewhat different to many other nurses, as I didn’t catch covid at work. However, it was indirectly NHS related.

The economic burden of Long Covid in the UK
Cambridge Econometrics have recently (March 2024) published a report into the economic burden on the UK caused by Long Covid. With Long Covid now established in the population and clearly affecting health and livelihoods, there are questions about what Long Covid means in the longer term for the UK economy.

What are energy-limiting conditions? An introduction to chronic illness at work
Catherine Hale, founder of Chronic Illness Inclusion and thought leader on energy limiting conditions and work, has recently (Feb 2024) written a guide for managers and employees on how to deal with energy limiting conditions.

SHH-UK announces 2nd Cognitive Dysfunction Support Group meeting
Supporting Healthcare Heroes UK (SHH-UK) is pleased to announce the date for the second in our series of Cognitive Dysfunction Support Group meetings which will be held on zoom on June 12th at 1230. All UK healthcare workers are welcome to attend, and if it coincides with your lunchbreak you are welcome to eat whilst listening!

Long Covid and Me by Dee Burrows
We are grateful to Energise Health for sharing this video with us. In the video Dr Dee Burrows (Partner at Energise Health, living and working with Long Covid) and one of our volunteers tells her story.