BMA: Over-exposed and under-protected: the long-term impact of Covid-19 on doctors (4 July 2023)

Summary

A significant number of doctors and other healthcare workers have developed post-acute COVID, including a large number who developed it as a result of workplace exposure to Covid-19.

This paper examines the impact post-acute Covid symptoms have had on the medical workforce, personally and professionally. It provides a unique and valuable insight into the experience of UK doctors suffering from post-acute Covid. It has been informed by a UK survey of over 600 doctors suffering from the continuing effects of an infection with Covid-19, as well as wider research of the issues.

The survey was undertaken by the British Medical Association (BMA) in partnership with Long COVID Doctors for Action. This is the first comprehensive survey of doctors with post-acute Covid health complications. This paper should inform the support needed by current sufferers of post-acute COVID in the NHS workforce, and help protect services and patients now and in the future.

Content

Recommendations

1. The Department of Work and Pensions must act without delay on current IIAC (Industrial Injuries Advisory Council) recommendations for the specific circumstances where Long COVID should be recognised as an occupational disease for healthcare workers. Alongside this, there must be investment in research to support the additional designation as an occupational disease of the broader range of post-acute COVID symptoms this report shows are highly prevalent among sufferers.
2. UK Government must urgently develop a package of financial support for doctors and healthcare workers with post-acute COVID.
3. Health and Safety Executive must provide clear guidance to health service employers on the legal requirements to carry out risk assessments and report instances of infection under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).
4. The Department of Health and Social Care must ensure funding is allocated for appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) in health and care services to ensure staff are protected.
5. UK health services must increase access and improve waiting times to post-acute COVID care such as NHS COVID clinics.
6. UK health services must ensure care for those with post-acute COVID, such as that delivered through NHS COVID clinics, is multidisciplinary and offers access to both physical and mental healthcare.
7. Health education bodies across the UK must fund increased occupational medicine training posts.
8. UK health service employers must prioritise timely access to occupational health services and assessments for staff with post-acute COVID.
9. UK health service employers must promote greater awareness amongst managers of the needs of staff with post-acute COVID and support measures required.
10. UK governments and health systems must ensure health service estates are safe for staff and that the risk of infection from infectious diseases, like COVID-19, is reduced, including ensuring improved and appropriate ventilation.