We have submitted our response to NHS England's call for organisations to contribute to their 10 Year Plan consultation
Long Covid affects approximately 2 million people in England and Scotland, and is causing significant health and economic burdens. It particularly impacts working-age adults, with many unable to work or requiring reduced hours. In our response we highlight the need for urgent and sustained attention to Long Covid, and cite our Bill of Rights as a useful policy starting point to ensure patients have access to diagnosis, treatment, support, and research.
Key recommendations for the 10-Year Health Plan include increased public health messaging, prevention via infection avoidance and vaccination, long-term care planning for Long Covid patients, and proactive pandemic preparedness. We have emphasised the importance of multidisciplinary care, training for healthcare providers, and the inclusion of people with lived experience in care planning. We stress the need for research funding and better technology integration to manage and treat Long Covid.
Our response identifies challenges to moving care from hospitals to communities, such as a lack of specialist knowledge, fragmented services, and prejudice against Long Covid. Enablers include multidisciplinary care models, increased training, and patient involvement. In terms of technology, challenges include digital poverty, poor data sharing, and privacy concerns, while enablers include virtual consultations, wearable technology, and improved research databases.
To help people with Long Covid get an earlier diagnosis, we are calling for much improved public awareness, the reintroduction of testing, better guidance for patients, and support for NHS staff with Long Covid. Specific policy ideas for change include targeted public health campaigns, the expansion and improvement of Long Covid clinics, more research funding, and the creation of regional care hubs. Long-term goals include a focus on chronic conditions, investment in community care infrastructure, and expanding technological innovations.
Read our full response here
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