Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plans to take to assess the welfare requirements of (a) NHS and (b) social care staff who have long Covid.

While there are no specific plans to do so, support for National Health Service staff is kept under review.

NHS England has invested £224 million to date to provide care for people, with post COVID-19 syndrome, with 90 adult and 14 paediatric specialist services operating in England. Those who show the long term effects of COVID-19 infection are assessed and directed to appropriate care pathways which will provide support and treatment.

A range of support is available for NHS staff who are experiencing symptoms of post COVID-19 syndrome, including training and guidance for teams and leaders, access to Occupational Health and Wellbeing services and local Employee Assistance Programmes.

The majority of care workers are employed by private sector providers who determine their pay and terms and conditions of employment. The Department expects all care providers to support good health and safety practices.