Report 1 - Finding Support for Long Covid
Finding Support for Long Covid Report 1
We are beginning to understand the long-term impacts of COVID-19 and have realised that people need support in different aspects of their lives.
This resource is based on information from a study carried out at Queen Margaret University in collaboration with Long Covid Scotland. This was funded by the Chief Scientist Office and the Scottish Funding Council.
- Background to this project
- Resources
- Peer Support
Find out more information about the background of this project:
People with Long Covid have expressed the need for:
- information they can trust about what to do and who can help – with health, day-to-day life or money,
- help to find out why they are feeling unwell and to help
them recover, and - help to return to work.
In our survey 72% of people found it difficult to access the support they needed.
Some people have described feeling abandoned when trying to find the support
they need, which can make things worse.
If this is how you have been feeling, you are not alone.
On person we talked to said:
"One of the most distressing things about this actually has been trying to get help"
"I started to realise that there are other people who were in the same boat, which was really comforting, because the worst thing was people looking at you like, come on, you know, get over it'"
You have a right to appropriate help where you feel respected and listened to.
If you are offered something that you don’t think will be beneficial or a service isn’t right for you, it is important to explain this so that the professionals involved can help.
Some people have paid for private support; however, this is not accessible
for everyone.
Although it can be hard to find the support you need, there are some possibilities. We have collated the following resources to help you on this journey.
Resources:
People have had variable experiences of finding help for Long Covid from their GP.
It is important to seek help if you need it. For urgent medical advice, please contact
a GP, your local A&E or 111.
| Guidance | Website Resource |
|---|---|
| NHS Guidance | NHS |
| NHS Inform | |
| Some professions, including physiotherapy and occupation therapy have produced guidance: | Chartered Society of Physiotherapy |
| Long Covid Physio | |
| Royal College of Occupational Therapists | |
| If you are experiencing difficulties accessing appropriate care, you could look for an advocate to help you to express your needs and find support: | NHS |
In our survey, we found that people wanted peer support. They also found it the easiest resource to access and the most helpful.
Among other benefits, people who have Long Covid can learn from others about what they have tried and what has helped.
Peer support from people who have had similar experiences:
There are several online groups you can join and organisations that may be able to help:
Long Covid Support Group (Facebook)
Long Covid Scotland
Long Covid Scotland Action Group (Facebook)
Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland
@long_covid (Twitter)
@LongCovidScot (Twitter)
Support for children, parents and guardians affected by Long Covid:
Long Covid Kids
Mental health support:
Mind
Mental Health UK
