New Research Reveals Over Two Million May Have Suffered Long Covid
New research from the React programme at Imperial College London finds that over one third of people in England who had Coronavirus reported symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks. The study, yet to be peer-reviewed, indicates that long Covid is higher among women, people who are overweight or obese, those who smoke, live in deprived areas or who had been admitted to hospital. According to the research, persistent Covid symptoms were lower in people of Asian ethnicity.
To help people suffering debilitating long-term effects, the NHS has opened more than 80 Long Covid assessment services across England. Last week, the health service published a £100 million plan to expand support, including a £30 million Enhanced Services package to help GPs improve diagnosis and care for patients with Long Covid.
Living with Long Covid impacts many aspects of peoples’ lives, and is currently poorly understand, so there is still much to learn about managing this debilitating condition. The person-centred Video Group Clinics care model is helping GPs and primary care teams to better identify symptoms and care for patients with Long Covid. Clinicians are starting to see patterns in the symptoms people are presenting with, and VGCs will accelerate this learning.
View our Redmoor-ELC Long Covid case studies to discover how VGCs are supporting patients living with Long Covid – and contributing to better identification and management of this condition.
