Parliament’s Covid-19 Recovery Committee will be open to views until February 10.
The Scottish Parliament’s COVID-19 Recovery Committee will launch a new inquiry into what action the Scottish Government is taking to address the issues facing those living with long Covid and post-Covid syndrome in Scotland.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics estimate that around 2.1million people are experiencing self-reported long COVID in the UK (3.3% of the population).
In Scotland, it is estimated that 187,000 people have self-reported long COVID (3.5% of the population).
The most commonly reported symptoms of long Covid are extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, loss of smell and muscle aches; however, other systems following a COVID-19 infection, can include problems with memory and concentration, chest pain or tightness, difficulty sleeping, depression and anxiety and many more.
Launching the inquiry in the Scottish Parliament, the Committee will hold an informal engagement session with people who are either living with or directly affected by the impact of long Covid.
The Committee Inquiry will focus on awareness and recognition, therapy and rehabilitation, and study and research.
Following the launch, the Committee will publish a call for views which individuals, groups and organisations are encouraged to respond to.
The call for views will remain open until February 10 2023.
Committee convener Siobhian Brown MSP said: “Thousands of people across Scotland are currently living with long Covid and post Covid syndrome, which can be debilitating for many people, impacting on their ability to work, study or provide care for family members.
“The Committee and I look forward to welcoming some of those living with long Covid to Holyrood to hear about their experiences directly and give those living with symptoms a voice from the outset of this important inquiry.
“The Committee is interested to hear views on whether there is adequate awareness of the condition, readily available help and advice for those impacted, as well as ongoing research into long Covid, to support individuals’ recovery and also Scotland’s recovery from the long reach of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our inquiry will look to speak directly to those impacted by long Covid over the coming weeks and take evidence on what additional steps the Scottish Government could take to support those living with the condition.”
The inquiry will hear additional evidence throughout committee meetings in February and March before holding a final evidence session with the Scottish Government.
The committee will then make recommendations to the Scottish Government, and the Committee will seek to bring the recommendations before the Scottish Parliament for debate.
