Living with Long Covid report
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Between July and September 2021, Healthwatch Kingston upon Thames undertook a community engagement project to gather the views of residents who were experiencing a complexity of symptoms associated with Long Covid.
An online survey was co-produced by Healthwatch in South West London. Healthwatch Kingston upon Thames’ survey was completed by 43 people. The key findings concentrate on the respondents’ lived experience of Long Covid, including diagnosis, effects on livelihoods, relationships, family, and friendships, and includes their views on clinical and community support needs (met and unmet), and mental health challenges.
Many people experiencing Long Covid symptoms had not yet been diagnosed (49%). The top three most commonly experienced symptoms were breathlessness (92.5%), fatigue (92.5%) and brain fog (92.5%).
The quality of people’s lives has been impacted as people struggle to carry out everyday tasks and to meet both family and professional responsibilities. 85% of respondents felt that Long Covid had negatively impacted their mental health.
The findings resonate with other Long Covid evidence and with the suggestion that women are disproportionately affected by Long Covid.