Experiences of long Covid

Healthwatch Sutton wanted to understand the experience of people with long Covid and help decision makers design appropriate services which would meet their needs.  They undertook a survey to which 79 people responded.

Over a third of those who had symptoms for over a year still hadn’t been given a diagnosis. The older respondents were less likely to have been diagnosed with Covid19 when they were originally ill, less likely to have been given a diagnosis of Long Covid and less likely to have accessed treatment.

 Long Covid is having a very significant impact on people’s ability to work, on their finances, relationships, social lives, and mental health. Many had found it difficult to access support.

The majority of people who accessed treatment found it beneficial. Although problems often persisted, they found treatment helped to manage their symptoms better. Different people found different treatment components helpful.

Respondents expressed considerable understandable concern for the future because of the lack of a cure or clear treatment plan.

 There was a strong message about the need for better understanding by the general public, by employers and by health professionals.

The report contains three recommendations about raising awareness of long Covid, facilitating access to peer support and providing emotional support as well as support with physical symptoms.