Fifth of patients at two north of England surgeries have long Covid, study finds

One in five patients registered to a pair of GP surgeries in the north of England have Long Covid, according to a report that lays bare stark regional inequalities.

The north-west of England had higher than average numbers of people reporting Long Covid symptoms, with just over one in 20 people (5.5%), followed by the north-east and Yorkshire (5.1%).

According to the analysis, a fifth of patients at Parklands medical practice in Bradford and Margaret Thompson medical centre in Liverpool are living with Long Covid, and the 10 GP surgeries with the highest prevalence of Long Covid are in the north of England.

The report also found the prevalence of Long Covid among the most deprived areas of England was 6.3%, almost double the rate in the least deprived areas.

Dr Stephanie Scott, the lead author of the report and senior lecturer in public health at Newcastle University, said: “Long Covid is a complex condition that goes beyond physical and mental symptoms, affecting other parts of people’s lives including their sense of self and professional identity. This can then lead to experiences of social isolation.

“Currently, there is little evidence-based treatment for Long Covid and the health system focuses on symptom management. This needs to change. Our research has offered a glimpse into the reality of what it is like to live with this often-debilitating condition and the knock-on effects it has on people’s personal and professional lives."

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Source: The Guardian, 23 August 2024