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Welcome to the November 2025 edition of the SHH-UK Newsletter
As we head into winter, the risks posed by respiratory viruses, including Covid-19, increase significantly. This month’s newsletter focuses on the urgent need for prevention-first policies to protect healthcare workers, patients, and the wider public.
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With infection rates rising and Long Covid continuing to drive workforce loss and economic strain, it has never been more important for safe air, clean workplaces and evidence-based policy to be at the top of the national agenda.
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In this edition, we share updates on our recent political engagement, new resources to support lobbying and workplace advocacy. We are also spotlighting how you can take action – whether by writing to your MP, raising awareness in your workplace, or sharing information on our #SafeAir4All campaign.
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Together, we are building momentum.
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Prevention is possible. Protection is essential. Change is urgent.
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Request for information
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We’ve heard from someone about to start a job at an NHS Trust in England that despite wanting/needing to protect clinically vulnerable family members has been told they cannot wear FFP2/3 masks at work even if they supply their own.
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We’d like to hear from you if you are a healthcare worker:
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1. Who has been told you cannot wear an FFP2/3 at work
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2. Who wears an FFP2/3 at work
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Any information received will be used anonymously to support our advocacy work in this content. Feel free to email us at info@shh-uk.org or add information to our Padlet Board.
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Why we must lobby politicians now
– prevention is essential
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As Covid-19 continues to cause repeated infections, long-term illness, and workforce disruption, prevention is no longer optional – it is essential for public health, economic stability, and patient safety. Healthcare workers, immunocompromised people, and millions of citizens remain at heightened risk due to inadequate airborne infection control measures. Despite clear scientific evidence that Covid-19 spreads through the air, UK policy has not kept pace, leaving workplaces, hospitals, schools, and public buildings without the necessary protections to reduce transmission.
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We urgently need politicians to act on prevention. This requires legislating for clean indoor air standards, ensuring the availability and protection of high-grade respiratory PPE (such as FFP2/3 masks), and mandating ventilation and filtration in healthcare settings (and other public buildings). Preventative measures are not expensive compared to the rising costs of Long Covid, reduced workforce participation, and pressures on the NHS. Every infection prevented protects a life, a livelihood, or an NHS resource.
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If you haven’t already read our position statements summarising the evidence demonstrating a) the changes needed to UK infection prevention and control guidelines and b) why indoor air quality is important in healthcare settings, you can download them via the links below:
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We now have two infographics summarising the information in these position statements – available here.
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Government response highlights urgent need for prevention action
SHH-UK recently wrote to Ashley Dalton MP, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, urging the Government to take meaningful action to prevent Covid-19 infections and reinfections – the only effective strategy to reduce Long Covid. (Our letter can be read here.) While, in her response, the Minister acknowledged the impact of Long Covid and highlighted existing services and research funding, she did not announce any new preventative measures, nor did she address the need for improved ventilation, access to FFP2/3 masks, or updated infection control standards recognising airborne transmission.
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This exchange highlights why we must continue to advocate for prevention to be central to public health policy. Treatment alone is insufficient – without action to stop ongoing transmission, more healthcare workers and members of the public will continue to be affected.
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SHH-UK will continue to lobby for evidence-based preventative policies that protect health, the workforce, and the economy.
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Take Action: Help Us Demand Prevention Now
Preventing Covid-19 transmission is the only way to reduce Long Covid and protect our workforce. The Government’s response to SHH-UK shows that prevention is still not being prioritised – and we need your voice to change that.
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What you can do right now:
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1) Write to your MP sending them a copy of our fact sheet asking them to:
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- Table a Parliamentary Question about what action the Government is taking to prevent Covid infections and reduce rates of Long Covid.
- Write to the Minister for Public Health and Prevention to press for stronger airborne infection control.
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3) Support SHH-UK campaigns on social media calling for evidence-based prevention policies.
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4) Sign the two petitions below, calling for:
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- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to monitors and reports on, the numbers of COVID infections that occur in healthcare settings through its routine surveillance programmes and advises on how to prevent and control infection in establishments such as hospitals, care homes and schools. The petition can be signed by clicking here.
- A review of the eligibility for Covid-19 boosters for clinically vulnerable people – access the petition by clicking here.
Together we can make prevention a political priority – and protect the health of all healthcare workers and the public.
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Explore our SHH-UK Resources hub –
evidence you can trust
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Our Resources page is your go-to centre for reliable, evidence-based information on Long Covid, occupational health risks, infection prevention, and policy developments affecting healthcare workers. Whether you are looking for clinical research summaries, practical workplace guidance, advocacy tools, or shareable infographics, this hub is designed to support you in protecting your health, your career, and your patients.
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- New to and living with Long Covid
- Work and Long Covid
- Preventing reinfection
- Financial information
- Long Covid stories
- Research summaries
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We update the page regularly to ensure you have access to the latest science and tools to take action.
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Knowledge is power – and together, we can drive change.
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Visit the Resources page today and share it with colleagues who need support and trusted information. Email us at info@shh-uk.org if you have any feedback on our Resources page or if you’d like to tell us your Long Covid story.
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Next Cognitive Dysfunction Support Group
Our next cognitive dysfunction support group will be on 11th February from 1100 – 1200. Sign up here.
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Meet our volunteers
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Lisa
I’m Lisa, a Registered Nurse and Social Media Content Creator for Supporting Healthcare Heroes UK. I joined as a volunteer in November 2024 whilst living with Long Covid, giving me firsthand experience of its impact. Now recovered enough following the amazing support of the charity and its volunteers, I’ve seen my symptoms improve and am now able to take the lead and driving the six- week #SafeAir4All Campaign. Working with SHH UK has given me a renewed sense of purpose helping other healthcare workers and making a real difference every day.
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Thank you
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Our volunteer lead, Jess, has recently stepped down from her role with us. We would like to thank her for the significant contribution she made to the charity during her time with us and wish her all the best for the future.
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Since 21st September, we have been running a six-week social media campaign focusing on our SafeAir4All initiative. This has been led by our social media lead, Lisa (see above). We would like to thank her for all the work she has done in setting up and running this campaign. Thanks also to everyone who engaged with us on social media during the six weeks.
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