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October Newsletter
Welcome
As autumn sets in, we’re continuing our mission to support healthcare workers living with Long Covid and to advocate for safer, healthier workplaces. This month’s issue highlights our #SafeAir4All social media campaign, new resources on indoor air quality, and updates about our Resources Page as well as details of our next Cognitive Dysfunction Support Group.
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Thank you, as always, for your support – together, we can make a real difference for those most affected.
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Coming soon: our next Cognitive Dysfunction Support Group
Our next Cognitive Dysfunction online support group is on Weds 22nd October from 11:00-12:00. If you’d like to join us you can do so here.
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Online Peer Support Group – launch delayed
Unfortunately, due to sickness, we have had to delay the start of our weekly online support groups. We are working to set these up as soon as possible. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for news and details.
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If you would like to be a part of a team of moderators for these online peer support groups please email us at info@shh-uk.org.
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Our #SafeAir4All campaign
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Why indoor air quality matters in healthcare settings
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a crucial but often overlooked part of keeping healthcare environments safe. Clean air is not just about comfort – it’s about protecting patients, staff, and visitors from harmful airborne particles, viruses, and pollutants.
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We now know that COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses spread primarily through the air. In poorly ventilated spaces, infectious particles can linger, increasing the risk of transmission. For healthcare workers who spend long hours in hospitals, clinics, and care homes, this risk is especially high.
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Good IAQ also helps people with existing conditions. Patients with asthma, heart disease, or compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to poor air quality. Simple measures like monitoring CO₂ levels, improving ventilation, and using HEPA filtration can make a real difference in reducing illness and improving recovery outcomes.
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For healthcare organisations, prioritising IAQ is not just about infection control – it’s about workforce protection, patient safety, and long-term sustainability. Cleaner air means fewer infections, fewer staff absences, and safer environments for everyone.
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At SHH-UK, we continue to campaign for #SafeAir4All so that healthcare workers are better protected and patients receive care in the safest conditions possible. Find out more about the science behind this in our position statement outlining why Indoor Air Quality is important in healthcare settings.
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New SHH-UK Resource: How to Use a CO₂ Monitor
Good ventilation is key to reducing the risk of airborne infections such as Covid-19. Our new leaflet explains how CO₂ monitors can help you assess indoor air quality and take action to keep spaces safer. It includes guidance on what CO₂ readings mean, tips on how to measure accurately, and advice on choosing the right device. Whether you’re at home, work, or in a healthcare setting, this quick guide will help you make informed decisions to protect yourself and others.
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You can download the leaflet here.
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Want to borrow a CO2 monitor? Don’t forget you can borrow a CO2 monitor from us – more details here.
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Discount codes for buying a CO2 monitor
If you're thinking about buying a CO2 monitor we have some discount codes for you:
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AirSpot devices and accessories (until 31st October). Simply go to http://airspothealth.com and enter the code BreatheSafeAir at the check-out for 25% off.
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Aranet4 HOME IAQ sensor use the code SHH-UK5 here for a 5% discount – valid until the end of the year.
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🌍 Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air: New UN-Backed Initiative
A major new initiative – the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air – has just been launched at the United Nations, bringing together more than 160 global leaders from over 30 countries.
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This cross-disciplinary commission includes a former U.S. Surgeon General, university deans and scientists, CEOs, CMOs, CSOs, and experts in architecture, engineering, and building science. Their goal is to build a global framework for action on indoor air quality, to drive coordinated solutions worldwide, and to sustain public awareness of healthy indoor air as a public health priority.
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For SHH-UK, this development presents both hope and opportunity: as international momentum builds, there’s a stronger platform for advocating policy change, better standards, and investment in indoor air measures – something that aligns closely with our #SafeAir4All campaign. Read the full press release here.
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SHH-UK Resources Page
Over the past month or two, we’ve been adding content to our Resources Page. This now has six sections:
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- New to and living with Long Covid
- Long Covid and work
- Financial information
- Preventing reinfection
- Research summaries
- Long Covid stories
Let us know what you think. How helpful is this information? How easy is it to access? Can you find the information you are looking for? We welcome feedback via info@shh-uk.org.
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Run for Charity
Looking for a challenge that makes a real difference? Why not sign up to complete a sponsored event to raise money for SHH-UK via Run for Charity.
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Every step you take will help us support healthcare workers living with Long Covid and campaign for safer working conditions, including cleaner air in healthcare settings. Whether it’s a 5K, half marathon, or a full marathon, your fundraising will go directly towards providing financial assistance, resources, and advocacy for healthcare workers with Long Covid. Lace up your trainers, join our team, and run with purpose – together we can make lasting change.
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Meet our volunteers
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Ashley
Ashley is a social science researcher with extensive experience in market research, data analysis, user research, and stakeholder collaboration. Working in the social enterprise sector, Ashley is passionate about reducing health inequities to create a fairer and more inclusive world. Ashley’s goal at SHH-UK is to ensure that the voices of all HCWs with Long Covid are heard, and to advocate for their needs.
If you are interested in helping to shape SHH-UK’s direction and provision for healthcare workers living with Long Covid, we would love to hear from you. Please email ashley.lee@shh-uk.org to set up a convenient meeting time.
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EasyFundraising
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Do you shop online? If the answer is yes, you can raise money for Supporting Healthcare Heroes UK when you shop. All you need to do is sign up for EasyFundraising and select Supporting Healthcare Heroes UK as your chosen charity and they do the rest.
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