Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what financial support is available to frontline healthcare workers suffering with long covid who have had difficulties returning to work in the NHS.

National Health Service (NHS) staff on national terms and conditions receive sick pay support which provides up to six months full sick pay, followed by up to six months half pay depending on length of service. In addition, in March 2020 the Department introduced temporary COVID-19 full sick pay for NHS staff, subject to regular review, providing an additional level of support.

Staff experiencing the symptoms of long COVID will also be supported through NHS England and NHS Improvement’s plan for long COVID, which provides support for patients experiencing long-term effects of COVID-19.

NHS England and NHS Improvement intend to review terms and conditions for staff in September 2021.