Long Covid Scotland has published the Impact on our Lives report detailing the damaging impact long COVID is having on the thousands of sufferers across Scotland.

Long COVID sufferers were asked to respond to a number of questions regarding their symptoms, the progression of their condition and how it impacted various areas of their life such as financial stability and family life.

The report found:

• Only one person out of the 222 who replied had fully recovered. Relapses were common with 4 out of 5 experiencing these.
• 61% were facing additional financial pressures due to long COVID as a result of loss of income, reduced hours and long-term sick leave.
• That 1 in 5 long COVID sufferers had paid privately for tests and investigations due to frustration at lack of access and long wait-times through the NHS. Respondents felt there was a lack of tailored support and felt let down and forgotten by the health care service.
• Over 96% stated that living with long COVID had adversely affected their mental health and wellbeing. This has been aggravated by poor public understanding of the condition and lack of support from health professionals and employers.
• 87% reported that their condition impacted their family and personal relationships. This included feeling like a burden, being unable to contribute to household tasks and parents reporting that they were no longer able to walk their children to school.

Commenting, Long Covid Scotland Chair Jane Ormerod said:

“Holistic care is required to address the complexity of long COVID. People with long COVID need patient-informed services across Scotland, including long COVID specific clinics and services with clear pathways for treatment and support, including paediatric services.

Long COVID Scotland hope that the publication of this survey report will further highlight the needs of those with long COVID and reinforce the need for the Scottish Government and NHS Health Boards to work together to address a public health issue that will not go away.”