Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to address the impact of Long Covid on NHS and social care workers.

NHS England has invested £314 million to date to provide care for people, with post-COVID-19 syndrome, with 90 adult and 14 paediatric specialist services operating in England and available to the National Health Service and social care staff. These assess people with post-COVID-19 syndrome and direct them into care pathways which provide appropriate support and treatment.

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

The vast 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 follow good health and safety practices.