APPG on Coronavirus: Long Covid report (22 March 2022)

Summary

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Coronavirus was set up in July 2020 to conduct a rapid inquiry into the UK Government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. This report outlines the APPG's findings on the incidence, impact and treatment of Long Covid. It includes recommendations for the UK Government to tackle the issues related to Long Covid that individuals, employers and healthcare professionals face.

Content

Recommendations

1. Long Covid is having a significant impact on the UK workforce As the UK response transitions from pandemic to endemic, learning to live with Covid means living with Long Covid too. Consequently, the APPG recommends that the UK Government commits £100m per annum to funding research into diagnostic and treatment pathways for Long Covid patients.
2. Employer guidelines The UK Government should urgently produce guidelines for employers in both private and public sectors on managing the impact of Long Covid amongst their workforce.
3. Key worker compensation The UK Government should launch a compensation scheme available to all frontline key workers currently living with Long Covid. The scheme should mirror the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), recognise the relapsing nature of Long Covid and go beyond existing sick pay schemes.
4. Long Covid care pathways The UK Government must urgently review the current Long Covid care pathways, with a view to improve and ensure the healthcare system is capable of meeting current and future demand.
5. Legal definition While research into the long-term impact of Long Covid continues, the UK Government should consider and propose a legal definition of Long Covid which recognises the relapsing and remitting nature of the condition. It should also assess the applicability of current disability provisions for people living with Long Covid.
6. Measure, report, monitor The UK Government must accurately measure, report and monitor the number of people, including children, living with Long Covid in the UK.
7. Public health policy The APPG recommends that the UK Government add Long Covid to the existing list of considerations when making public health policy.
8. Care pathways for children The UK Government should commit to launching specialised care pathways for children living with Long Covid.
9. Guidance for education settings The UK Government must issue guidance to schools and educational settings on the management of, and support for, pupils living with Long Covid.
10. Guidance for medical practitioners The UK Government should issue urgent guidance to medical practitioners on Long Covid in children and adults.